Battle of the Year

International breakdancing competition

For the 2013 feature film based on this event, see Battle of the Year (film).

Battle of the Year, commonly referred to as BOTY, is an annual international breakdancing competition that began in 1990. It has been regarded as the premier b-boying competition in the world [1] and has been referred to as the "World Cup of B-Boying".[2] Regional qualifying tournaments, also known as preliminaries, are held worldwide culminating in the BOTY International, the world finals event which is currently held at Sud de France Arena in Montpellier, France.

For the first twenty-three editions, Battle of the Year was a crew competition; in 2013, a one-on-one competition was added. Since 2014, the one-on-one portion of Battle of the Year is one of ten tournaments that are a part of the World BBoy Series.

The competition spawned the 2007 documentary Planet B-Boy as well as a 2013 eponymously named feature film Battle of the Year, both directed by Benson Lee. It has also gained attention for positive promotion of hip-hop culture and social unity.[3]

## Past Battle of the Year results

[edit]

In 2006, 2 semifinal battles were implemented, with the winner of each battle advancing to the finals. The losers of the semifinal battles do not battle each other; therefore, there is no longer a fourth-place award.

Year  | First place  | Second place  | Losing Semifinalists  | Best show

|
|
|
|

2023  |  Predatorz  |  Flow XL  |  The Ruggeds /  Foundnation  |  Foundnation
2022  |  The Ruggeds  |  Flooriorz  |  Rock Force Crew /  Mortal Combat  |  The Ruggeds
2021  |  Jinjo Crew |  The Ruggeds  |  Squadron /  Flooriorz  |  Jinjo Crew
2019  |  Last Squad  |  Artistreet  |  Body Carnival /  Team Vinotinto  |  Artistreet
2018  |  Jinjo Crew |  Foundnation  |  Top Coalition /  Vagabonds  |  Jinjo Crew
2017  |  Flooriorz  |  Vagabonds  |  Kienjuice /  Mortal Combat  |  Flooriorz
2016  |  Flooriorz  |  Melting Force  |  Body Carnival /  Kienjuice  |  Melting Force
2015  |  Flooriorz  |  Kienjuice  |  U-Taipei /  Doble K.O.  |  Doble K.O.
2014  |  Predatorz  |  Fusion MC  |  Body Carnival /  S.I.N.E. Crew  |  Fusion MC
2013  |  Fusion MC  |  The Ruggeds  |  B-Town All Stars /  Flooriorz  |  Flooriorz
2012  |  Vagabonds  |  Flooriorz  |  Pockémon /  Morning of Owl |  Vagabonds
2011  |  Vagabonds  |  Battle Born  |  Nine State B-boyz /  TPEC  |  Vagabonds
2010  |  Jinjo Crew |  Mortal Combat  |  Gamblerz /  La Smala  |  Mortal Combat
2009  |  Gamblerz |  Top 9  |  All Area Crew /  Phase-T  |  All Area Crew
2008  |  Top 9  |  T.I.P. Crew |  Formosa /  Smokémon  |  Top 9
2007  |  Extreme Crew  |  Turn Phrase Crew  |  Legiteam Obstruxion /  Funk Fellaz  |  Turn Phrase Crew
2006  |  Vagabonds  |  Last For One |  Drifterz /  B-Town Allstars  |  Vagabonds

Until 2006, one battle was held solely for first place and one battle was held solely for third place.

Year  | First place  | Second place  | Third place 1 | Fourth place  | Best show

|
|
|
|
|

2005  |  Last For One  |  Ichigeki  |  Gamblerz |  Phase-T  |  Ichigeki
2004  |  Gamblerz |  Fantastik Armada  |  Stuttguard  |  Break the Funk  |  Break the Funk
2003  |  Pockémon  |  Expression Crew  |  Gamblerz |  Fire Works  |  Fire Works
2002  |  Expression Crew  |  Vagabonds  |  Deep Trip  |  Top 9  |  Vagabonds
2001  |  Wanted  |  Team Ohh  |  HaviKoro  |  Visual Shock  |  Visual Shock
2000  |  Flying Steps  |  Waseda Breakers  |  Scrambling Feet  |  South African Allstars  |  Waseda Breakers
1999  |  Suicidal Lifestyle  |  Rock Force  |  Bag of Trix  |  The Family  |  Spartanic Rockers
1998  |  Rock Force  |  The Family  |  Phase 2  |  Suicidal Lifestyle  |  Spartanic Japan
1997  |  Style Elements  |  South Side Rockers  |  Black Noise  |  Suicidal Lifestyle  |  South Side Rockers
1996  |  Toys in Effect  |  Enemy Squad  |  Wedding B-Boys & Flying Steps  |  Passo Sul Tempo  | None awarded
1995  |  The Family  |  Enemy Squad  |  Out of Control  |  Flying Steps  | None awarded
1994  |  Vlinke Vuesse  |  Enemy Squad  |  Always Rockin Tuff  |  Crazy Force Crew  | None awarded
1993  |  Always Rockin Tuff  |  Fresh Force  |  Enemy Squad  |  TDB  | None awarded
1992  |  Battle Squad  |  Second 2 None  |  Enemy Squad  |  TDB  | None awarded
1991  |  Battle Squad  |  TDB  |  Enemy Squad  |  Fresh Force  | None awarded
1990  |  TDB  |  Crazy Force Crew  |  City Rockers  |  Robot Force

## Past Battle of the Year Solo Champions results

[edit]

Year  | Winner  | Crew  | Runner-up  | Crew

|
|
|
|

2023  |  Phil Wizard  | United Rivals / 7 Commandoz  |  Onton  | Supernaturalz / United Rivals
2019  |  Zeku  | Future Force Crew / Monster B-Boys  |  Pac Pac  | Bad Trip Crew / Tekken Crew
2018  |  Dany  | Vagabonds  |  Beetle  | Navi
2017  |  Onel  | Black Out Crew  |  Mowgly  | Marittima Funk
2016  |  Bruce Almighty  | Momentum Crew  |  Nasso  | Melting Force/Arabiq Flavor
2015  |  Menno  | Hustle Kids/Def Dogs/RBBC1AS  |  Alkolil  | Original Breakers Circle
2014  |  Alkolil  | Original Breakers Circle  |  Kleju  | Funky Masons/Polskee Flavour
2013  |  Menno  | Hustle Kids/Def Dogs/RBBC1AS  |  Thesis  | Knuckleheads Cali/Massive Monkees
2012  |  Niek  | The Ruggeds  |  Hill  | Unik Breakers
2011  |  Niek  | The Ruggeds  |  Vicious Victor  | MF Kidz/Squadron
2010  |  Thesis  | Knuckleheads Cali/Massive Monkees  |  Alkolil  | Original Breakers Circle
2009  |  Lilou  | Pockemon/RBBC1AS  |  Morris  | Fallen Kings/Rock Force

## Past Battle of the Year Bgirl Champions*

[edit]

Year  | Winners  | Crew

|
|

2023  |  Ayumi and  Sarah Bee  | Body Carnival / Zamounda crew
2019  |  Lil Mami  | Hardcore Detroit/Venus Fly
2018  |  Ayane  | KAKB
2017  |  Yasmin and Miju  | KAKB/Sparky Jewel
2016  |  Ayu and Ami  | Good Foot crew
2015  |  Ayane and Noa  | KAKB
2014  |  Shie-chan and Nagi  | Air Real/Qween of Qweenz
2013  |  Kanami and Myw  | KANAMYM
2012  |  Nao and Nagi  | Qween of Qweenz
2011  |  Eri Fenesis and Yurie  | Qween of Qweenz
2010  |  Ayumi and Micchan  | Body Carnival
2009  |  Shie-chan and Narumi  | Air Real/Body Carnival/Qween of Qweenz

* The event was called We B Girlz until 2015.

The event is a 2 on 2 battle, but was a solo battle in 2018 and 2019.

## 2016 season

[edit]

### 2016 World Finals results

[edit]

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First Round| | | Semifinals| | | Finals
| | |
| | 1|  Melting Force| W
| |
| 6|  STO| L| | | 5|  Kienjuice| L| | |
| | | |
| 5|  Kienjuice| W| | | | 1|  Melting Force| L
| | | | |
| | | | 2|  Flooriorz| W
| | |
| | 2|  The Flooriorz| W|
| |
| 4|  Taoyuan City Top Coalition| L| | | 3|  Body Carnival| L| | |
| | | |
| 3|  Body Carnival| W| | | |
| |
| | | | | | |

Best Show:  Melting Force

### 2016 International 1 on 1 Battle results

[edit]

| Round of 16| | Quarter-finals| | Semi-finals| | Final

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

|  | | | | | | | |

|  Bruce Almighty |  W

|  Inside |  L |

|  Bruce Almighty |  W

| |  Fernandinho |  L |

|  Fernandinho |  W

| |

|  Elia |  L |

|  Bruce Almighty |  W

| |  Poter |  L |

|  Poter |  W

|  |

|  Kid Colombia |  L |

|  Poter |  W

| |  Ayumi |  L |

|  Ayumi |  W

| |

|  Zoob |  L |

|  Bruce Almighty |  W

| |  Nasso |  L

|  Nasso |  W

|  |

|  Aleks |  L |

|  Nasso |  W

| |  Lil Zoo |  L |

|  Lil Zoo |  W

| |

|  Admiracles |  L |

|  Nasso |  W

| |  Taisuke |  L | | Third place

|  Taisuke |  W

|  | |

|  Spin |  L |

|  Taisuke |  W |  |

| |  Pac Pac |  L | |  |

|  Pac Pac |  W

| |

|  Akorn |  L |

Bruce Almighty () earned a bid to the Undisputed World BBoy Series in Prague at the end of the 2016 year by winning BOTY Solo.

## 2015 season

[edit]

### 2015 World Finals results

[edit]

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First Round| | | Semifinals| | | Finals
| | |
| | 1|  Doble KO| L
| |
| 4|  MB Crew| L| | | 5|  Kienjuice| W| | |
| | | |
| 5|  Kienjuice| W| | | | 5|  Kienjuice| L
| | | | |
| | | | 2|  The Flooriorz| W
| | |
| | 2|  The Flooriorz| W|
| |
| 3|  U-Taipei| W| | | 3|  U-Taipei| L| | |
| | | |
| 6|  MOS Crew| L| | | |
| |
| | | | | | |

Best Show:  Doble KO

### 2015 International 1 on 1 Battle results

[edit]

| Round of 16| | Quarter-finals| | Semi-finals| | Final

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

|  | | | | | | | |

|  Menno |  W

|  Rafastil |  L |

|  Menno |  W

| |  Shigekix |  L |

|  Shigekix |  W

| |

|  Lawson |  L |

|  Menno |  W

| |  Sunni |  L |

|  Sunni |  W

|  |

|  Kacyo |  L |

|  Sunni |  W

| |  El Niño |  L |

|  El Niño |  W

| |

|  Taower |  L |

|  Menno |  W

| |  Alkolil |  L

|  Alkolil |  W

|  |

|  Akorn |  L |

|  Alkolil |  W

| |  Victor |  L |

|  Victor |  W

| |

|  Lagaet |  L |

|  Alkolil |  W

| |  Fleau |  L | | Third place

|  Fleau |  W

|  | |

|  Onel |  L |

|  Fleau |  W |  |

| |  Poter |  L | |  |

|  Poter |  W

| |

|  Dany |  L |

Menno () earned a bid to the Undisputed World BBoy Series at the end of the 2015 year by winning BOTY Solo.

## 2014 season

[edit]

### 2014 World Finals results

[edit]

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| First Round| | | Semifinals| | | Finals
| | |
| | 1|  Fusion MC| W
| |
| 4|  Infamous| L| | | 5|  Body Carnival| L| | |
| | | |
| 5|  Body Carnival| W| | | | 1|  Fusion MC| L
| | | | |
| | | | 2|  Predatorz| W
| | |
| | 2|  Predatorz| W|
| |
| 3|  Ruggeds| L| | | 6|  S.I.N.E. Crew| L| | |
| | | |
| 6|  S.I.N.E. Crew| W| | | |
| |
| | | | | | |

Best Show:  Fusion MC

### Crew List for 2014 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

Fusion MC | Winner, BOTY Korea 2014
Black Out Crew | Winner, BOTY BALKAN 2014
Body Carnival | Winner, BOTY Japan 2014
Last Alive | Winner, BOTY Italy 2014
619 Fellerz | Winner, BOTY Nigeria 2014
Street Son Crew | Winner, BOTY Brazil 2014
Soul Mavericks | Winner, BOTY UK 2014
Predatorz | Winner, BOTY Rusia 2014
Crazy Elements | Winner, BOTY West Africa 2014
Infamous | Winner, BOTY France 2014
Ten Years in a Moment | Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2014
Gravedad Zero | Winner, BOTY Central America 2014
S.I.N.E Crew | Winner, BOTY SEA 2014
The Saxonz | Winner , BOTY Germany 2014
The Ruggeds | Winner, BOTY BeNeLux 2014
Unstopabullz | Winner, BOTY Israel 2014

### 2014 International 1 on 1 Battle results

[edit]

| Round of 16| | Quarter-finals| | Semi-finals| | Final

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

|  | | | | | | | |

|  Gravity |  W

|  Hugga |  L |

|  Gravity |  L

| |  Alkolil |  W |

|  Alkolil |  W

| |

|  Kacyo |  L |

|  Alkolil |  W

| |  Kazuki Roc |  L |

|  Kazuki Roc |  W

|  |

|  Ziprock |  L |

|  Kazuki Roc |  W

| |  Kid Columbia |  L |

|  Kid Columbia |  W

| |

|  Rafastil |  L |

|  Alkolil |  W

| |  Kleju |  L

|  Noe |  L

|  |

|  TRock |  W |

|  TRock |  L

| |  Benny |  W |

|  Benny |  W

| |

|  Onel |  L |

|  Benny |  L

| |  Kleju |  W | | Third place

|  Kleju |  W

|  | |

|  Mini Joe |  L |

|  Kleju |  W |  |

| |  Lil Zoo |  L | |  |

|  Lil Zoo |  W

| |

|  Khalil |  L |

Alkolil () earned a bid to the Undisputed World BBoy Series at the end of the 2014 year by winning BOTY Solo.

## 2013 season

[edit]

### 2013 World Finals results

[edit]

Like in 2012, Battle of the Year 2013 included an additional semifinals placer to add additional battles to the tournament. Six crews qualified after the showcase stage of the competition consisting of the two highest scoring crews automatically qualified for the semifinals and four crews competing for the two remaining places against them.

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi final placers| | | Semifinals| | | Finals
| | |
| | 1|  B-Town All Stars| L
| |
| 3|  Fusion MC| W| | | 0|  Fusion MC| W| | |
| | | |
| 6|  Vino Tinto| L| | | |  Fusion MC| W
| | | | |
| | | |  The Ruggeds| L
| | |
| | 2|  The Floorriorz| L|
| |
| 4|  The Ruggeds| W| | | 0|  The Ruggeds| W| | |
| | | |
| 5|  KGB TC United| L| | | |
| |
| | | | | | |

Best Show:  The Floorriorz

### Crew List for 2013 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

WaveOmatic | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2013
De Klan | Winner, BOTY Italy 2013
KGB TC Unity | Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2013
The Floorriorz | Winner, BOTY Japan 2013
Unstopabullz | Winner, BOTY Israel 2013
Hunters Crew | Winner, BOTY Central Europe 2013
Space Unlimited | Winner, BOTY Nigeria 2013
B-Town Allstars | Winner, BOTY Germany 2013
Soul Mavericks | Winner, BOTY UK 2013
S.I.N.E Crew | Winner, BOTY SEA 2013
Melting Force | Winner, BOTY France 2013
Knuckle Head Zoo | Winner, BOTY USA 2013
Fusion MC | Winner, BOTY Korea 2013
Vinotinto | Winner, BOTY Central America 2013
The Ruggeds | Winner, BOTY BENELUX 2013

### 2013 International 1 on 1 Battle results

[edit]

| Round of 16| | Quarter-finals| | Semi-finals| | Final

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

|  | | | | | | | |

|  Pocket |  W

|  Mat |  L |

|  Pocket |  L

| |  Issei |  W |

|  Issei |  W

| |

|  Hulk |  L |

|  Issei |  L

| |  Menno |  W |

|  Tonio |  L

|  |

|  Menno |  W |

|  Menno |  W

| |  Nori |  L |

|  Nori |  W

| |

|  Lil Zoo |  L |

|  Menno |  W

| |  Thesis |  L

|  Slav |  L

|  |

|  Thesis |  W |

|  Thesis |  W

| |  Wing |  L |

|  Wing |  W

| |

|  Bootuz |  L |

|  Thesis |  W

| |  Lil G |  L | | Third place

|  Lil G |  W

|  | |

|  Titris |  L |

|  Lil G |  W |  |

| |  Robin |  L | |  |

|  Cherry |  L

| |

|  Robin |  W |

## 2012 season

[edit]

### 2012 World Finals results

[edit]

Battle of the Year 2012 included an additional semifinals placer to add additional battles to the tournament. In 2012 six crews qualified after the showcase stage of the competition consisting of the two highest scoring crews automatically qualified for the semifinals and four crews competing for the two remaining places against them.[4]

| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Semi final placers| | | Semifinals| | | Finals
| | |
| | 1|  Floorriorz| W
| |
| 3|  Morning of Owl| W| | | 0|  Morning of Owl| L| | |
| | | |
| 6|  Formosa| L| | | |  Floorriorz| L
| | | | |
| | | |  Vagabond Crew| W
| | |
| | 2|  Vagabond Crew| W|
| |
| 4|  De Klan| L| | | 0|  Pockemon Crew| L| | |
| | | |
| 5|  Pockemon Crew| W| | | |
| |
| | | | | | |

Best Show:  Vagabond Crew

### Crew List for 2012 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

Vagabonds | Champion, BOTY International 2011
Dead Prezz | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2012
Prodigy | Winner, BOTY Central Europe 2012
Supremos | Winner, BOTY Iberica 2012
Pockemon | Winner, BOTY France 2012
Flooriorz | Winner, BOTY Japan 2012
Kosher Flava | Winner, BOTY Israel 2012
Hunters Crew | Winner, BOTY Belarus 2012
Upper Underground | Winner, BOTY North Africa 2012
Reckless Gang | Winner, BOTY Germany 2012
De Klan | Winner, BOTY Italy 2012
Formosa Crew | Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2012
Radical Force | Winner, BOTY SEA 2012
Space Unlimited | Winner, BOTY Nigeria 2012
Team Shmetta | Winner, BOTY BeNeLux 2012
Unity Crew | Winner, BOTY South Africa 2012
Lhiba KingZoo | Winner, BOTY West Africa 2012
Morning of Owl | Winner, BOTY Korea 2012

kamikaz crew Algeria

## 2011 season

[edit]

### 2011 World Finals results

[edit]

| Semifinals | | | Finals |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 |  Battle Born | W | |
| 4 |  Nine States B-boyz | L |
| |  Battle Born | L |
|  |
| | |  Vagabonds | W |
| 3 |  Vagabonds | W |

| 2 |  TPEC | L |

Best Show:  Vagabonds

### Crew List for 2011 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

Jinjo Crew | Champions, BOTY International 2010
Battleborn | Winner, BOTY USA 2011
CT Group | Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2011
Vagabonds | Winner, BOTY France 2011
Nine States B-Boyz | Winner, BOTY Japan 2011
TPEC | Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2011
Kosher Flava | Winner, BOTY Israel 2011
Simple System | Winner, BOTY Kazakhstan 2011
Guatemaya Crew | Winner, BOTY Central America 2011
Maximum Crew | Winner, BOTY Korea 2011
Battle Born | Winner, BOTY USA 2011
Amazon B-Boys | Winner, BOTY Brazil 2011
Ruff'n'X | Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2011
Fusion Force Crew | Winner, BOTY North Africa 2011
Flavaz Army | Winner, BOTY West Africa 2011
Reckless Bunch | Winner, BOTY Germany 2011
OnePiece UD Town | Winner, BOTY SEA 2011
Hoochen Crew | Winner, BOTY Benelux 2011
De Klan | Winner, BOTY Italy 2011
Slam Fam & Over Boys | Winner, BOTY Middle East 2011
BMT & Mafia 13 | Winner, BOTY Russia 2011

## 2010 season

[edit]

### 2010 World Finals results

[edit]

| Semifinals | | | Finals |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 |  Jinjo | W | |
| 4 |  Gamblerz | L |
| |  Jinjo | W |
|  |
| | |  Mortal Combat | L |
| 3 |  Mortal Combat | W |

| 2 |  La Smala | L |

Best Show:  Mortal Combat

### Crew List for 2010 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

Gamblerz | Champion, BOTY International 2009
Jinjo | Winner, BOTY Korea 2010
Mortal Combat | Winner, BOTY Japan 2010
Top Coalition | Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2010
La Smala | Winner, BOTY France 2010
Big Toe (S.I.N.E) | Winner, BOTY SEA 2010
De Klan | Winner, BOTY Italy 2010
2DR Squad | Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2010
Predatorz | Winner, BOTY Russia 2010
/ Team Shmetta | Winner, BOTY Benelux 2010
PRODIGY | Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2010
Bio All Stars | Winner, BOTY Brazil 2010
Simple System | Winner, BOTY Kazakhstan 2010
Dead Prezz | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2010
Flowjob | Winner, BOTY Germany 2010
Chapin Crew | Winner, BOTY Guatemala 2010
Unstopabullz | Winner, BOTY Israel 2010
Kamikaz Crew | Winner, BOTY Algeria 2010
La Halla King Zoo | Winner, BOTY Morocco 2010

## 2009 season

[edit]

For the first time in the Competition's history, a 1 on 1 Tournament was held for b-boys who weren't competing as a part of a crew. The first 1 on 1 Battle of the Year final saw Lilou of Algeria defeat Morris representing the U.S..

### 2009 World Finals results

[edit]

| Semifinals | | | Finals |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 |  Gamblerz | W | |
| 4 |  Phase-T | L |
| |  Gamblerz | W |
|  |
| | |  Top 9 | L |
| 3 |  All Area | L |

| 2 |  Top 9 | W |

Best Show:  All Area

### Crew List for 2009 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

Top-9 | Champion, BOTY International 2008
Soul Mavericks | Winner, BOTY UK 2009
Phase T | Winner, BOTY France 2009
Prodigy Crew | Winner, BOTY SEE 2009
Breakers Without Fear | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2009
Belarusian B-Boys | Winner, BOTY CIS 2009
Team Shmetta | Winner, BOTY Benelux 2009
Gamblerz | 2nd place, BOTY Asia 2009
Formosa | 3rd place, BOTY Asia 2009
All Area | Winner, BOTY Asia 2009
Myztikal | Winner, BOTY Caricom 2009
Unstopabullz | Winner, BOTY Israel 2009
Octagon | Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2009
De Klan | Winner BOTY Italy 2009
Funk Fellaz | Winner BOTY Germany 2009
Ubuntu B Boyz | Winner BOTY Africa 2009
Knuckle Head Zoo | Invited Directly
Ghost Rockz | Winner BOTY Switzerland 2009
Amazon B Boyz | Winner BOTY Brazil 2009

## 2008 season

[edit]

### 2008 World Finals results

[edit]

| Semifinals | | | Finals |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 |  T.I.P. | W | |
| 4 |  Formosa | L |
| |  T.I.P. | L |
|  |
| | |  Top 9 | W |
| 3 |  Top 9 | W |

| 2 |  Smokémon | L |

Best Show:  Top 9

### Crew List for 2008 World Finals

[edit]

This list is in chronological order by date qualified.

Crew  | Qualification

|

Extreme Crew | Champion, BOTY International 2007
Bad Taste Cru | Winner, BOTY UK 2008
Groove Kingz | Winner, BOTY Benelux 2008
Smokemon | Winner, BOTY France 2008
Dead Prezz | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2008
Crazy Twisting Tribal Team | Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2008
Top 9 | Winner, BOTY Russia 2008
La Halla King Zoo | Winner, BOTY West Africa 2008
T.I.P. | Winner, BOTY Asia 2008
Formosa | 2nd place, BOTY Asia 2008
Kaiten Ninja | 3rd place, BOTY Asia 2008
Now or Never | Winner, BOTY Canada 2008
Unstopabulls | Winner, BOTY Israel 2008
Ghost Rockz | Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2008
Tsunami Allstars | Winner, BOTY Brazil 2008
TNT Crew | Winner, BOTY Germany 2008
Octagon | Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2008
Fallen Angels Crew | Winner, BOTY Iberica 2008
Furious Soldiers | Winner, BOTY USA 2008

## 2007 season

[edit]

### 2007 World Finals results

[edit]

| Semifinals | | | Finals |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 |  Legiteam Obstruktion | L | |
| 4 |  Extreme Crew | W |
| |  Extreme Crew | W |
|  |
| | |  Turn Phrase Crew | L |
| 3 |  Turn Phrase Crew | W |

| 2 |  Funk Fellaz | L |

Best Show:  Turn Phrase Crew

### Crew List for 2007 World Finals

[edit]

This list is in chronological order by date qualified. Preliminaries that have not occurred yet have a colored background.

Crew  | Qualification

|

Hoochen | Winner, BOTY Benelux 2007
Sick 7 | Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2007
Plastic Def Squad | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2007
Legiteam Obstruktion | Winner, BOTY France 2007
Rapid Soul Moves | Winner, BOTY Italy 2007
Fallen Angels Crew | Winner, BOTY Iberica 2007
Extreme (Obo Wang) Crew | Winner, BOTY Asia 2007
Turn Phrase Crew | 2nd place, BOTY Asia 2007
Ground Scatter Crew | 3rd place, BOTY Asia 2007
Breakerholics | Winner, BOTY Israel 2007
Ultimate Desperados | Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2007
Funk Fellaz | Winner, BOTY Germany 2007
Ruff'n'X Crew | Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2007
DF Zulu Breakers | Winner, BOTY Brazil 2007
Vagabonds (withdrew) | Champion, BOTY International 2006
Last Minute Crew (withdrew) | Winner, BOTY South Africa 2007

## 2006 season

[edit]

### 2006 World Finals results

[edit]

| Semifinals | | | Finals |

|
|
|
|
|

|  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 1 |  Vagabonds | W | |
| 4 |  Drifterz | L |
| |  Vagabonds | W |
|  |
| | |  Last For One | L |
| 3 |  Last For One | W |

| 2 |  B-Town Allstars | L |

Best Show:  Vagabonds

### Crew List for 2006 World Finals

[edit]

Crew  | Qualification

|

Last For One | Champion, BOTY International 2005
Vagabonds | Winner, BOTY Asia 2006
Electric Force Crew | Winner, BOTY Balkans 2006
Octagon | Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2006
Top 9 | Winner, BOTY Russia 2006
Moving Shadows | Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2006
Ormus Force | Winner, BOTY Italy 2006
Camelot | Winner, BOTY North East Europe 2006
Mortal Combat | Winner, BOTY Japan 2006
Fallen Angels | Winner, BOTY Iberica 2006
Lions of Zion | Winner, BOTY Israel 2006
STO | Winner, BOTY China 2006
Knuckle Head Zoo | Winner, BOTY USA 2006
Ground Scatter Crew | Winner, BOTY South East Asia 2006
Ubuntu | Winner, BOTY South Africa 2006
HRC | Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2006
B-Town Allstars | Winner, BOTY Germany 2006
Ruff'n'X Crew | Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2006
Drifterz Crew | Winner, BOTY Korea 2006
Floor Burning | Winner, BOTY Benelux 2006

## Series Format

[edit]

### World Finals Format

[edit]

The format comprises firstly a showcase round in which all crews perform a routine of no more than six minutes in length demonstrating their ability in the different styles of breakdance. Judges rank all competing crews by evaluating certain criteria based on the shows.

Following the showcase round, the top four crews are selected to take part in a crew-vs-crew battle playoff. In the semifinals, the top-ranked crew battles the 4th-ranked crew and the 2nd-ranked crew battles the 3rd-ranked crew. The winner of each semifinal then battle each other for the championship.

An award, "Best Show", is also given to the crew that had the best-scoring showcase.

### Scoring Criteria

[edit]

Judges evaluate the showcase round on two main elements, artistry and technicality, each of which includes several criteria. The artistry element includes theme, music, synchronicity, and choreography, among others. The technicality element includes toprock, uprock, footwork, and power moves, among others.[5]

### Qualification and Preliminaries

[edit]

The champion of the world finals is always invited directly to the following year's world finals to defend their title. All other crews qualify via preliminary tournaments, although historically there have been a few instances of directly-invited crews (usually when there is no preliminary in that crew's region).

Qualification is moving towards a two-step system consisting of individual country preliminaries followed by regional preliminaries. Historically, each country had an individual preliminary and sent one crew to the world finals; however, countries have become more and more regionalized over the years. For example, starting in 2007, there is a new BOTY Asia regional preliminary that will send the top 3 finishers to the world finals; in 2006 and years prior, Asia region countries such as South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan had their own preliminaries and sent one crew each to the world finals.

The following is a chart showing the regions and countries in the region, as well as number of crews sent to the world finals, for the 2007 season.

Region  | Crews Sent  | Member Countries

|
|

BOTY Asia | 3 |  China,  Indonesia,  Japan,  South Korea,  Laos,  Malaysia,  Philippines,  Singapore,  Taiwan,  Thailand,  Vietnam, India*
BOTY Balkans | 1 |  Albania,  Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Bulgaria,  Cyprus,  Greece,  North Macedonia,  Montenegro,  Romania,  Serbia,  Turkey
BOTY Benelux | 1 |  Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands
BOTY Iberica | 1 |  Portugal,  Spain
BOTY North East Europe* | 0 |  Belarus,  Estonia,  Latvia,  Lithuania,
BOTY Scandinavia | 1 |  Denmark,  Finland,  Norway,  Sweden; also, BOTY North East Europe member countries are invited to participate*
BOTY South East Europe | 1 |  Austria,  Bosnia,  Croatia,  Hungary,  Slovenia,  Czech Republic,  Poland,  Slovakia

* Winner of BOTY India will participate in BOTY Asia from 2011
* BOTY North East Europe regional preliminary was canceled. On July 10, 2007, it was announced that BOTY North East Europe member countries would be allowed to enter BOTY Scandinavia.[6]
** On September 7, 2007, the BOTY USA 2007 qualifier was announced;[7] however, it was canceled less than one month later.

### World Finals Format History

[edit]

Prior to 2006, the current championship playoff system was not used. Instead, there were only two battles: two crews would compete for first place, while two other crews would compete for third place. While a "Best Show" award was still granted based on showcase performance, the judges would also rank the crews as to who they thought should participate in the championship battle. This resulted in frequently-occurring situations where the crew that received the "Best Show" award was not even able to compete for the championship, as they were picked for the third place battle instead of the championship battle. Examples include three "Best Show" winners in the final five years under the old format: Break the Funk (2004), Fire Works (2003), and Visual Shock (2001).[8] The change to the playoff system also brought the world finals format into line with some of the qualifier formats, such as the BOTY Korea Preliminary, which has been using the four-crew playoff system for years.

Starting in 2004, a strict 6-minute time limit per crew on the showcase was enforced for the world finals, with scoring penalties assessed for going over time. This was enacted so that the world finals event would finish in a shorter time period. The 6-minute limit was quickly adopted at preliminaries.[9]

In 1990, when the event was known as the International Breakdance Cup,[10] there were only shows and no battles. From 1991-1996, there were battles resulting in a crowned champion, but no "Best Show" award was given.

## Media

[edit]

An official DVD documenting the event is usually released a few months after the tournament. It is a perennial best seller on breaking and hip-hop media retail web sites.

Several documentaries have been produced based on the competition, including the 2007 feature-length documentary Planet B-Boy. The film premiered at the 2007 TriBeCa Film Festival[11] and was released on DVD on November 11, 2008.

A movie based on this competition, called Battle of the Year, was released on September 20, 2013. The film was directed by Benson Lee, who produced Planet B-Boy, and featured famous artist Chris Brown in the primary role.[12]

On occasion with the annual competition, a CD/LP titled "The Official Battle Of The Year Motion Soundtrack" is released since 1998.[13] It features some of the leading B-Boy Funk artists such as Mr. Confuse, Cosmic EFI, DJ Nas'D, Esone, Def Cut, Cutmaster GB, and DJ Phantom. The cover artwork is drawn by Graffiti artist Mode 2.[14]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Hong 10: B-Boy Champion Archived November 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
2. ^ Planet B-Boy Plot Summary, Retrieved August 21, 2007
3. ^ Chang, Jeff. "It's a Hip-Hop World". Foreign Policy (November/December 2007): 58–65. "Hip-hop events such as the Battle of the Year create spaces for a globalization from the bottom, bringing people together across the barriers of geography, language, and race."
4. ^ "Battle of the Year 2012 World Finals - Judges announced, new battle format introduced - All Street Dance". Archived from the original on 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
5. ^ Judge POEONE (Stylelements) Post on Scoring Criteria on BBoyWorld.com forums Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
6. ^ Battle of the Year Official Site - News, Retrieved August 22, 2007
7. ^ BOTY USA 2007 Announcement Archived November 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, BBoyWorld.Com, Retrieved September 12, 2007
8. ^ BOTY Official Website: Past Events Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
9. ^ Breakdance battle Archived September 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved August 21, 2007
10. ^ DJ Junk. "Junk's breaking- a history of John (Junk) from Second To None and the Second To None Crew". DJ Junk. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
11. ^ Planet B-Boy (Tribeca Film Festival Official Website), Retrieved August 21, 2007
12. ^ "Battle of the Year". IMDb.
13. ^ "Battle of the year Musik | Discogs". Discogs.
14. ^ "Drawings".

## External links

[edit]

* Battle of the Year official website
* Battle of the Year TV special at MixeryRawDeluxe.TV

* v
* t
* e

Hip-hop dance

History of hip hop dance

Primary influences|

* Breaking
* Locking
* Popping

Derivative styles|

* Krumping
* Jerkin'
* Turfing
* Memphis Jookin'
* Lyrical hip-hop

Film|

* Balttle of the Year
* Beat Street
* Beat the World
* Breakin
* Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
* Honey
* Honey 2
* Honey 3: Dare to Dance
* Battlefield America
* Step Up
* Step Up 2: The Streets
* Step Up 3D
* Step Up Revolution
* Step Up: All In
* Bouncing Cats
* Planet B-Boy
* Rize
* Save the Last Dance
* Save the Last Dance 2
* Feel the Noise
* StreetDance 3D
* StreetDance 2
* Beat This: A Hip-Hop History
* Saigon Electric
* Neukölln Unlimited
* ABCD: Any Body Can Dance
* ABCD 2
* Make Your Move
* B-Girl
* Wild Style
* You Got Served

Television|

* Soul Train
* The Grind
* The Party Machine with Nia Peeples
* Dance Fever
* Dance 360
* The Wade Robson Project
* America's Best Dance Crew
* Dance on Sunset
* Shake It Up
* Step Up

People|

* Jeffrey Daniel
* Crazy Legs
* DJ Kool Herc
* Lil' C
* Ken Swift
* James Brown
* Salah
* Toni Basil
* Dave Scott
* Frosty Freeze
* Luca Patuelli
* Darrin Henson
* Ashley Banjo
* Hong 10
* Mr. Wiggles
* Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo
* George Sampson
* Shane Sparks
* Mona Berntsen
* Harry Shum Jr.
* Laurieann Gibson
* Detlef Soost
* Fever One
* Alyson Stoner
* Adil Khan
* Jon M. Chu
* Haspop
* Nam Hyun-joon
* Sofia Boutella
* Adam G. Sevani
* Lilou
* Shaun Evaristo
* Columbus Short
* Les Twins
* Roxrite
* Lil Buck
* Akai Osei
* Cloud
* Twist and Pulse
* Sisco Gomez
* Shantanu Maheshwari

Theater|

* In the Heights
* Into the Hoods
* Hamilton

Events|

* Breakin' Convention
* Hip Hop International
* United Dance Organisation
* World of Dance
* Rock the Spot
* Urban Street Jam
* UK B-Boy Championships
* Red Bull BC One

Related topics|

* African-American dance
* Street dance
* House dance
* Funk
* Flexing (dance)
* Electro dance
* Hip-hop theater
* Bounce Streetdance Company
* So You Think You Can Dance
* The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers
* World of Dance
* The Hip Hop Dance Experience

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