Gqeberha B-girl going for gold
After almost a decade of training and honing her skills, a Gqeberha B-girl has flipped, cyphered and danced her way one step closer to the 2024 Olympic Games.
The talented Walmer resident claimed second place at the Olympic African breaking continental qualifier in Morocco in May last year.
Midian Ganyaza, also known as B-Girl Mids, subsequently booked her spot and will represent SA at the Olympic qualifier series in Shanghai in May and Budapest in June.
The 30-year-old’s instant passion for the art form came about nine years ago when she was introduced to it at a fundraiser for a children’s charity.
“I watched three women breaking at a dance fundraiser,” she said.
“It ignited a spark that set me on an extraordinary path.
“Inspired by the captivating energy and creativity of breakdancing, I decided to learn from these pioneers and embarked on a journey that would lead me to the Olympic stage.
“And I believe I became a force to be reckoned with in the breakdancing community.”
Having had no prior experience in the art form, her dedication saw her pick up the skill through training six days a week.
This included breaking, strength training, mobility and cardio. The 2022 RedBull BC One South African champion has solidified her status as one of the world’s premier breakdancers.
She said her dance style was inspired by the rhythmic beats of 1970s funk music.
“What sets me apart is not only the achievements but that I entered the world of breakdancing with no prior experience in gymnastics or body weight sports.
“So that required me to work even harder to reach the pinnacle of my craft.
“I learnt the foundations of breaking from teachers, but took the initiative to teach myself the more advanced moves.”
The aspiring Olympian said she hoped to inspire Bay youth to pursue the goals they dreamed of achieving.
“In a world where every move tells a story, I aim to craft a narrative of resilience, triumph and the unyielding pursuit of a dream. From childhood dreams to the present, I have held onto the ambition of representing my country on the grandest stage.
“As the Olympic qualifier series approaches I hope to make history on the global stage.”
She said she also hoped to use the platform to promote dance among the youth, particularly in Nelson Mandela Bay.
“We are a small breaking community in Gqeberha with fewer than five people competitively participating in national and international events.”
The top seven-ranked Bboys and B-girls who qualify at the Olympic qualifier series will earn their spot at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in August 2024.
The confident online teacher said regardless of whether she qualified for the Olympic Games she would motivate the youth through dance to continue pursuing their passions.