Battle of the Year

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

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
2017 Japan Flooriorz France Vagabonds Belarus Kienjuice / Japan Mortal Combat Japan Flooriorz
2016 Japan Flooriorz France Melting Force Japan Body Carnival / Belarus Kienjuice France Melting Force
2015 Japan Flooriorz Belarus Kienjuice Taiwan U-Taipei / Spain Doble K.O. Spain Doble K.O.
2014 Russia Predatorz South Korea Fusion MC Japan Body Carnival / Vietnam S.I.N.E. Crew South Korea Fusion MC
2013 South Korea Fusion MC Netherlands The Ruggeds Germany B-Town All Stars / Japan Flooriorz Japan Flooriorz
2012 France Vagabonds Japan Flooriorz France Pockémon / South Korea Morning of Owl France Vagabonds
2011 France Vagabonds United States Battle Born Japan Nine State B-boyz / Taiwan TPEC France Vagabonds
2010 South Korea Jinjo Crew Japan Mortal Combat South Korea Gamblerz / France La Smala Japan Mortal Combat
2009 South Korea Gamblerz Russia Top 9 Japan All Area Crew / France Phase-T Japan All Area Crew
2008 Russia Top 9 South Korea T.I.P. Crew Taiwan Formosa / France Smokémon Russia Top 9
2007 South Korea Extreme Crew Japan Turn Phrase Crew France Legiteam Obstruxion / Germany Funk Fellaz Japan Turn Phrase Crew
2006 France Vagabonds South Korea Last For One South Korea Drifterz / Germany B-Town Allstars France 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 South Korea Last For One Japan Ichigeki South Korea Gamblerz France Phase-T Japan Ichigeki
2004 South Korea Gamblerz France Fantastik Armada Germany Stuttguard Italy Break the Funk Italy Break the Funk
2003 France Pockémon South Korea Expression Crew South Korea Gamblerz Japan Fire Works Japan Fire Works
2002 South Korea Expression Crew France Vagabonds Switzerland Deep Trip Russia Top 9 France Vagabonds
2001 France Wanted Japan Team Ohh United States HaviKoro South Korea Visual Shock South Korea Visual Shock
2000 Germany Flying Steps Japan Waseda Breakers Switzerland Scrambling Feet South Africa South African Allstars Japan Waseda Breakers
1999 Hungary Suicidal Lifestyle United States Rock Force Canada Bag of Trix France The Family SwitzerlandJapan Spartanic Rockers
1998 United States Rock Force France The Family United States Phase 2 Hungary Suicidal Lifestyle Japan Spartanic Japan
1997 United States Style Elements Germany South Side Rockers South Africa Black Noise Hungary Suicidal Lifestyle Germany South Side Rockers
1996 Switzerland Toys in Effect Hungary Enemy Squad Germany Wedding B-Boys & Flying Steps Italy Passo Sul Tempo None awarded
1995 FranceItaly The Family Hungary Enemy Squad Denmark Out of Control Germany Flying Steps None awarded
1994 Germany Vlinke Vuesse Hungary Enemy Squad United Kingdom Always Rockin Tuff Switzerland Crazy Force Crew None awarded
1993 United Kingdom Always Rockin Tuff Germany Fresh Force Hungary Enemy Squad Germany TDB None awarded
1992 Germany Battle Squad United Kingdom Second 2 None Hungary Enemy Squad Germany TDB None awarded
1991 Germany Battle Squad Germany TDB Hungary Enemy Squad Germany Fresh Force None awarded
1990 GermanyUnited Kingdom TDB Switzerland Crazy Force Crew Germany City Rockers China Robot Force

Past Battle of the Year Solo Champions results

Year Winner Crew Runner-up Crew
2017 Greece Onel Black Out Crew Italy Mowgly Marittima Funk
2016 Portugal Bruce Almighty Momentum Crew France Nasso Melting Force/Arabiq Flavor
2015 Netherlands Menno Hustle Kids/Def Dogs/RBBC1AS Russia Alkolil Original Breakers Circle
2014 Russia Alkolil Original Breakers Circle Poland Kleju Funky Masons/Polskee Flavour
2013 Netherlands Menno Hustle Kids/Def Dogs/RBBC1AS United States Thesis Knuckleheads Cali/Massive Monkees
2012 Netherlands Niek The Ruggeds Mexico Hill Unik Breakers
2011 Netherlands Niek The Ruggeds United States Vicious Victor MF Kidz/Squadron
2010 United States Thesis Knuckleheads Cali/Massive Monkees Russia Alkolil Original Breakers Circle
2009 France Lilou Pockemon/RBBC1AS United States Morris Fallen Kings/Rock Force

2016 season

2016 World Finals results

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

Best Show: France Melting Force

2016 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
Belarus Inside L
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
Brazil Fernandinho L
 
Brazil Fernandinho W
 
 
 
Italy Elia L
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
Israel Poter L
 
Israel Poter W
 
 
 
Netherlands Kid Colombia L
 
Israel Poter W
 
 
 
Japan Ayumi L
 
Japan Ayumi W
 
 
 
Greece Zoob L
 
Portugal Bruce Almighty W
 
 
 
France Nasso L
 
France Nasso W
 
 
 
Germany Aleks L
 
France Nasso W
 
 
 
Morocco Lil Zoo L
 
Morocco Lil Zoo W
 
 
 
Belgium Admiracles L
 
France Nasso W
 
 
 
Japan Taisuke L Third place
 
Japan Taisuke W
 
  
 
United Kingdom Spin L
 
Japan Taisuke W  
 
 
 
France Pac Pac L  
 
France Pac Pac W
 
 
New Zealand Akorn L
 

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

2015 season

2015 World Finals results

First Round Semifinals Finals
   
1 Spain Doble KO L  
4 South Korea MB Crew L  
5 Belarus Kienjuice W    
5 Belarus Kienjuice W  
  5 Belarus Kienjuice L
 
    2 Japan The Flooriorz W
2 Japan The Flooriorz W
3 Taiwan U-Taipei W  
3 Taiwan U-Taipei L  
6 Brazil MOS Crew L  

Best Show: Spain Doble KO

2015 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Brazil Rafastil L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Japan Shigekix L
 
Japan Shigekix W
 
 
 
Belgium Lawson L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
United Kingdom Sunni L
 
United Kingdom Sunni W
 
 
 
Italy Kacyo L
 
United Kingdom Sunni W
 
 
 
United States El Niño L
 
United States El Niño W
 
 
 
Taiwan Taower L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Russia Alkolil L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
New Zealand Akorn L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
United States Victor L
 
United States Victor W
 
 
 
Portugal Lagaet L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Canada Fleau L Third place
 
Canada Fleau W
 
  
 
Greece Onel L
 
Canada Fleau W  
 
 
 
Israel Poter L  
 
Israel Poter W
 
 
France Dany L
 

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

2014 season

2014 World Finals results

First Round Semifinals Finals
   
1 South Korea Fusion MC W  
4 France Infamous L  
5 Japan Body Carnival L    
5 Japan Body Carnival W  
  1 South Korea Fusion MC L
 
    2 Russia Predatorz W
2 Russia Predatorz W
3 Netherlands Ruggeds L  
6 Vietnam S.I.N.E. Crew L  
6 Vietnam S.I.N.E. Crew W  

Best Show: South Korea Fusion MC

Crew List for 2014 World Finals

Crew Qualification
South Korea Fusion MC
Greece Black Out Crew
Japan Body Carnival
Italy Last Alive
Nigeria 619 Fellerz
Brazil Street Son Crew
United Kingdom Soul Mavericks
Russia Predatorz
Senegal Crazy Elements
France Infamous
Taiwan Ten Years in a Moment
Mexico Gravedad Zero
Vietnam S.I.N.E CrewWinner, BOTY SEA 2014
Germany The Saxonz
Netherlands The Ruggeds
Israel Unstopabullz

2014 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
United States Gravity W
 
 
 
New Zealand Hugga L
 
United States Gravity L
 
 
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Italy Kacyo L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Japan Kazuki Roc L
 
Japan Kazuki Roc W
 
 
 
Russia Ziprock L
 
Japan Kazuki Roc W
 
 
 
Netherlands Kid Columbia L
 
Netherlands Kid Columbia W
 
 
 
Brazil Rafastil L
 
Russia Alkolil W
 
 
 
Poland Kleju L
 
France Noe L
 
 
 
Belgium TRock W
 
Belgium TRock L
 
 
 
South Africa Benny W
 
South Africa Benny W
 
 
 
Greece Onel L
 
South Africa Benny L
 
 
 
Poland Kleju W Third place
 
Poland Kleju W
 
  
 
Venezuela Mini Joe L
 
Poland Kleju W  
 
 
 
Morocco Lil Zoo L  
 
Morocco Lil Zoo W
 
 
France Khalil L
 

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

2013 season

2013 World Finals results

Like in 2012, Battle of the Year 2013 included an additional semi finals 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 semi finals and four crews competing for the two remaining places against them.[4]

Semi final placers (see table below)
      
1 South Korea Fusion MC W
4 Venezuela Vino Tinto L
 
 
3 Netherlands The Ruggeds W
2 Taiwan KGB TC United L
Semi finals Finals
      
1 Japan The Floorriorz L
4 Netherlands The Ruggeds W
Netherlands The Ruggeds L
South Korea Fusion MC W
3 South Korea Fusion MC W
2 Germany B-Town All Stars L

Best Show: Japan The Floorriorz

Crew List for 2013 World Finals

Crew Qualification
Greece WaveOmaticWinner, BOTY Balkans 2013
Italy De KlanWinner, BOTY Italy 2013
Taiwan KGB TC UnityWinner, BOTY Taiwan 2013
Japan The FloorriorzWinner, BOTY Japan 2013
Israel UnstopabullzWinner, BOTY Israel 2013
Belarus Hunters CrewWinner, BOTY Belarus 2013
Nigeria Space UnlimitedWinner, BOTY Nigeria 2013
Germany B-Town AllstarsWinner, BOTY Germany 2013
United Kingdom Soul MavericksWinner, BOTY Central Europe 2013
Vietnam S.I.N.E CrewWinner, BOTY South Asia 2013
France Melting ForceWinner, BOTY France 2013
United States Knuckle Head ZooWinner, BOTY USA 2013
South Korea Fusion MCWinner, BOTY Korea 2013
Venezuela Vinotinto
Netherlands The Ruggeds

2013 International 1 on 1 Battle results

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
South Korea Pocket W
 
 
 
Italy Mat L
 
South Korea Pocket L
 
 
 
Japan Issei W
 
Japan Issei W
 
 
 
Israel Hulk L
 
Japan Issei L
 
 
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
France Tonio L
 
 
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
Japan Nori L
 
Japan Nori W
 
 
 
Morocco Lil Zoo L
 
Netherlands Menno W
 
 
 
United States Thesis L
 
Bulgaria Slav L
 
 
 
United States Thesis W
 
United States Thesis W
 
 
 
South Korea Wing L
 
South Korea Wing W
 
 
 
Russia Bootuz L
 
United States Thesis W
 
 
 
Venezuela Lil G L Third place
 
Venezuela Lil G W
 
  
 
Belgium Titris L
 
Venezuela Lil G W  
 
 
 
Ukraine Robin L  
 
Austria Cherry L
 
 
Ukraine Robin W
 

2012 season

2012 World Finals results

Battle of the Year 2012 included an additional semi finals 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 semi finals and four crews competing for the two remaining places against them.[4]

Semi final placers (see table below)
      
1 South Korea Morning of Owl W
4 Taiwan Formosa L
 
 
3 Italy De Klan L
2 France Pockemon Crew W
Semi finals Finals
      
1 South Korea Morning of Owl L
4 Japan Floorriorz W
Japan Floorriorz L
France Vagabond Crew W
3 France Pockemon Crew L
2 France Vagabond Crew W

Best Show: France Vagabond Crew

Crew List for 2012 World Finals

Crew Qualification
France VagabondsChampion, BOTY International 2011
Greece Dead PrezzWinner, BOTY Balkans 2012
Austria ProdigyWinner, Central Eastern Europe 2012
Spain SupremosWinner, BOTY Iberica 2012
France PockemonWinner, BOTY France 2012
Japan FlooriorzWinner, BOTY Japan 2012
Israel Kosher FlavaWinner, BOTY Israel 2012
Belarus Hunters CrewWinner, BOTY Belarus 2012
Tunisia Upper UndergroundWinner, BOTY Africa 2012
Germany Reckless GangWinner, BOTY Germany 2012
Italy De KlanWinner, BOTY Italy 2012
Taiwan Formosa CrewWinner, BOTY Taiwan 2012
Singapore Radical ForceWinner, BOTY South Asia 2012
Nigeria Space UnlimitedWinner, BOTY Nigeria 2012
Belgium Team ShmettaWinner, BOTY BeNeLux 2012
South Africa Unity CrewWinner, BOTY South Africa 2012
Morocco Lhiba KingZooWinner, BOTY 2012
South Korea Morning of OwlWinner, BOTY Korea 2012

kamikaz crew Algeria

2011 season

2011 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 United States Battle Born W
4 Japan Nine States B-boyz L
United States Battle Born L
France Vagabonds W
3 France Vagabonds W
2 Taiwan TPEC L

Best Show: France Vagabonds

Crew List for 2011 World Finals

Crew Qualification
South Korea Jinjo CrewChampions, BOTY International 2010
United States BattlebornWinner, BOTY USA 2011
Poland CT GroupWinner, BOTY Vienna 2011
France VagabondsWinner, BOTY France 2011
Japan Nine States B-BoyzWinner, BOTY Japan 2011
Taiwan TPECWinner, BOTY Taiwan 2011
Israel Kosher FlavaWinner, BOTY Israel 2011
Kazakhstan Simple SystemWinner, BOTY Kazakhstan 2011
Guatemala Guatemaya CrewWinner, BOTY Central America 2011
South Korea Maximum CrewWinner, BOTY Korea 2011
United States Battle BornWinner, BRAUN BOTY USA 2011
Brazil Amazon B-BoysWinner, BOTY Brazil 2011
Switzerland Ruff'n'XWinner, BOTY Switzerland 2011
Algeria Fusion CrewWinner, BOTY Algeria 2011
Tunisia Flavaz ArmyWinner, BOTY Tunisia 2011
Germany Reckless BunchWinner, BRAUN BOTY Germany 2011
Thailand OnePiece UD TownWinner, BOTY South Asia 2011
Belgium Hoochen CrewWinner, BRAUN BOTY Benelux 2011
Italy De KlanWinner, BRAUN BOTY Italy 2011
United Arab Emirates Slam Fam & Over BoysWinner, BRAUN BOTY Middle East 2011
Russia BMT & Mafia 13Winner, BOTY Russia 2011

2010 season

2010 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 South Korea Jinjo W
4 South Korea Gamblerz L
South Korea Jinjo W
Japan Mortal Combat L
3 Japan Mortal Combat W
2 France La Smala L

Best Show: Japan Mortal Combat

Crew List for 2010 World Finals

Crew Qualification
South Korea GamblerzChampion, BOTY International 2009
South Korea JinjoWinner, BOTY Korea 2010
Japan Mortal CombatWinner, BOTY Japan 2010
Taiwan Top CoalitionWinner, BOTY Taiwan 2010
France La SmalaWinner, BOTY France 2010
Vietnam Big Toe (S.I.N.E)Winner, BOTY SEA 2010
Italy De KlanWinner, BOTY Italy 2010
Switzerland 2DR SquadWinner, BOTY Switzerland 2010
Russia PredatorzWinner, BOTY Russia 2010
Belgium/Netherlands Team ShmettaWinner, BOTY Benelux 2010
Austria PRODIGYWinner, BOTY South East Europe 2010
Brazil Bio All StarsWinner, BOTY Brazil 2010
Kazakhstan Simple SystemWinner, BOTY Kazakhstan 2010
Greece Dead PrezzWinner, BOTY Balkans 2010
Germany FlowjobWinner, BOTY Germany 2010
Guatemala Chapin CrewWinner, BOTY Guatemala 2010
Israel UnstopabullzWinner, BOTY Israel 2010
Algeria Kamikaz CrewWinner, BOTY Algeria 2010
Morocco La Halla King ZooWinner, BOTY Morocco 2010

2009 season

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

Semifinals Finals
      
1 South Korea Gamblerz W
4 France Phase-T L
South Korea Gamblerz W
Russia Top 9 L
3 Japan All Area L
2 Russia Top 9 W

Best Show: Japan All Area

Crew List for 2009 World Finals

Crew Qualification
South Korea GamblerzChampion, BOTY Asia 2009
United Kingdom Soul MavericksWinner, BOTY UK 2009
France Phase TWinner, BOTY France 2009
Austria Prodigy CrewWinner, BOTY SEE 2009
Greece Breakers Without FearWinner, BOTY Balkans 2009
Belarus Belarusian B-BoysWinner, BOTY CIS 2009
Belgium Team ShmettaWinner, BOTY Benelux 2009
Russia Top-92nd place, BOTY International 2008
Taiwan Formosa3rd place, BOTY Asia 2009
Japan All AreaWinner, BOTY Asia 2009
Suriname MyztikalWinner, BOTY Caricom 2009
Israel UnstopabullsWinner, BOTY Israel 2009
Sweden OctagonWinner, BOTY Scandinavia 2009
Italy De KlanWinner BOTY Italy 2009
Germany Funk FellazWinner BOTY Germany 2009
South Africa Ubuntu B BoyzWinner BOTY Africa 2009
United States Knuckle Head ZooInvited Directly
Switzerland Ghost RockzWinner BOTY Switzerland 2009
Brazil Amazon B BoyzWinner BOTY Brazil 2009

2008 season

2008 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 South Korea T.I.P. W
4 Taiwan Formosa L
South Korea T.I.P. L
Russia Top 9 W
3 Russia Top 9 W
2 France Smokémon L

Best Show: Russia Top 9

Crew List for 2008 World Finals

This list is in chronological order by date qualified.

Crew Qualification
South Korea Extreme CrewChampion, BOTY International 2007
United Kingdom Bad Taste CruWinner, BOTY UK 2008
Netherlands Groove KingzWinner, BOTY Benelux 2008
France SmokemonWinner, BOTY France 2008
Greece Dead PrezzWinner, BOTY Balkans 2008
Poland Crazy Twisting Tribal TeamWinner, BOTY South East Europe 2008
Russia Top 9Winner, BOTY Russia 2008
Morocco La Halla King ZooWinner, BOTY West Africa 2008
South Korea T.I.P.Winner, BOTY Asia 2008
Taiwan Formosa2nd place, BOTY Asia 2008
Japan Kaiten Ninja3rd place, BOTY Asia 2008
Canada Now or NeverWinner, BOTY Canada 2008
Israel UnstopabullsWinner, BOTY Israel 2008
Switzerland Ghost RockzWinner, BOTY Switzerland 2008
Brazil Tsunami AllstarsWinner, BOTY Brazil 2008
Germany TNT CrewWinner, BOTY Germany 2008
Sweden OctagonWinner, BOTY Scandinavia 2008
Spain Fallen Angels CrewWinner, BOTY Iberica 2008
United States Furious SoldiersWinner, BOTY USA 2008

2007 season

2007 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 France Legiteam Obstruktion L
4 South Korea Extreme Crew W
South Korea Extreme Crew W
Japan Turn Phrase Crew L
3 Japan Turn Phrase Crew W
2 Germany Funk Fellaz L

Best Show: Japan Turn Phrase Crew

Crew List for 2007 World Finals

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

Crew Qualification
Belgium HoochenWinner, BOTY Benelux 2007
Hungary Sick 7Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2007
Bulgaria Plastic Def SquadWinner, BOTY Balkans 2007
France Legiteam ObstruktionWinner, BOTY France 2007
Italy Rapid Soul MovesWinner, BOTY Italy 2007
Spain Fallen Angels CrewWinner, BOTY Iberica 2007
South Korea Extreme (Obo Wang) CrewWinner, BOTY Asia 2007
Japan Turn Phrase Crew2nd place, BOTY Asia 2007
Thailand Ground Scatter Crew3rd place, BOTY Asia 2007
Israel BreakerholicsWinner, BOTY Israel 2007
Sweden Ultimate DesperadosWinner, BOTY Scandinavia 2007
Germany Funk FellazWinner, BOTY Germany 2007
Switzerland Ruff'n'X CrewWinner, BOTY Switzerland 2007
Brazil DF Zulu BreakersWinner, BOTY Brazil 2007
France Vagabonds (withdrew)Champion, BOTY International 2006
South Africa Last Minute Crew (withdrew)Winner, BOTY South Africa 2007

2006 season

2006 World Finals results

Semifinals Finals
      
1 France Vagabonds W
4 South Korea Drifterz L
France Vagabonds W
South Korea Last For One L
3 South Korea Last For One W
2 Germany B-Town Allstars L

Best Show: France Vagabonds

Crew List for 2006 World Finals

Crew Qualification
South Korea Last For OneChampion, BOTY International 2005
France VagabondsWinner, BOTY Asia 2006
Bulgaria Electric Force CrewWinner, BOTY Balkans 2006
Sweden OctagonWinner, BOTY Scandinavia 2006
Russia Top 9Winner, BOTY Russia 2006
Austria Moving ShadowsWinner, BOTY South East Europe 2006
Italy Ormus ForceWinner, BOTY Italy 2006
Latvia CamelotWinner, BOTY North East Europe 2006
Japan IchigekiWinner, BOTY Japan 2006
Spain Fallen AngelsWinner, BOTY Iberica 2006
Israel Lions of ZionWinner, BOTY Israel 2006
China STOWinner, BOTY China 2006
United States Knuckle Head ZooWinner, BOTY USA 2006
Thailand Ground Scatter CrewWinner, BOTY South East Asia 2006
South Africa UbuntuWinner, BOTY South Africa 2006
Taiwan HRCWinner, BOTY Taiwan 2006
Germany B-Town AllstarsWinner, BOTY Germany 2006
Switzerland Ruff'n'X CrewWinner, BOTY Switzerland 2006
South Korea Drifterz CrewWinner, BOTY Korea 2006
Netherlands Floor BurningWinner, BOTY Benelux 2006

Series Format

World Finals Format

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

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

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 Asia3 China,  Indonesia,  Japan,  South Korea,  Laos,  Malaysia,  Philippines,  Singapore,  Taiwan,  Thailand,  Vietnam, India*
BOTY Balkans1 Albania,  Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Bulgaria,  Cyprus,  Greece,  Macedonia,  Montenegro,  Romania,  Serbia,  Turkey
BOTY Benelux1 Belgium,  Luxembourg,  Netherlands
BOTY Iberica1 Portugal,  Spain
BOTY North East Europe*0 Belarus,  Estonia,  Latvia,  Lithuania,
BOTY Scandinavia1 Denmark,  Finland,  Norway,  Sweden; also, BOTY North East Europe member countries are invited to participate*
BOTY South East Europe1 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

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

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, DJ Nas'D, Esone, Def Cut, Cutmaster GB, and DJ Phantom. The cover artwork is drawn by Graffiti artist Mode 2.[14]

References

  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. 1 2 http://allstreetdance.co.uk/2012/08/23/battle-of-the-year-2012-world-finals-montpellier-judges-new-battle-format/
  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. ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1532958/
  13. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/de/search/?q=Battle+of+the+year&type=all
  14. ↑ http://www.mode2.org/drawings
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