Li Yongqiu Photo: screenshot

On Monday, 13-year-old Li Yongqiu claimed gold in the junior division at the Juste Debout 2026 World Finals in France. He became the third Chinese dancer to claim this title in the category. News of his victory quickly garnered widespread attention in China, where netizens watched videos of Li's performance and admired how he blended elements of Chinese martial arts into his street dance. Commentators noted this as a breakthrough for China's new generation of street dancers and a testament to the unique appeal of Chinese street dance.

Video clips from the competition showcased Li's exceptional skills. He fused martial arts stances and footwork into complex street dance routines, linking traditional Chinese boxing movements with classic breaking spins. Through his routine, Li drew on martial arts foundations to perform smooth, gliding motions, culminating with a headstand. The audience erupted in cheers and applause, clearly impressed by his creative moves.

When reflecting on his victory, Li told the Global Times on Tuesday that there are two reasons why he was able to defeat the dancers from other countries. One is that he is driven to bring honor to the motherland. The other is that his skills and explosive power are superior to those of his opponents.

"This was my first time competing abroad, and also my first time winning a world championship. It's like realizing a small dream," Li shared.

Bei Bei, the team leader who led Li and other young dancers to France for the competition, told the Global Times that Li's incorporation of traditional martial arts elements in his performance was confirmed by the coaching team before the competition. They said that they have a responsibility and obligation to integrate China's excellent culture into a project that young people all over the world can understand and love.

Tu Baihua, a champion solo street dancer, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Li incorporated the postures and power generation of Drunken Fist into every aspect of his performance, creating a unique personal style that gave his performance a strong sense of identity. Moreover, he flawlessly combined the rhythm of Drunken Fist with the beats of street dance, making the dance both narratively and emotionally charged, with precise transitions between fast and slow movements. The technique served the content of his routine, which was a key reason for his victory.

The deep connection between kung fu and street dance, especially breaking, was further confirmed by Xia Rui, secretary-general of the street dance committee under the China Dancers Association. "Besides breaking, other street dance styles like locking have also drawn inspiration from martial arts. Some moves in locking even resemble techniques used with nunchucks," Xia told the Global Times.

Li Yongqiu Photo: screenshot

Increasingly, Chinese dancers are showcasing elements of traditional culture, including martial arts, on prestigious international stages. For instance, B-boy Qi Xiangyu, who grew up in a martial arts family, incorporated a variety of kung fu moves in his breaking performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, gaining a distinctive presence.

Tu is also active on the stage as he is eager to see street dancers tell Chinese stories through elements such as traditional music and historic tales. Tu noted that such integration not only gives street dance greater expressive variety but also contributes to the preservation and development of intangible cultural heritage, providing younger generations with new insight into what Chinese dance culture can be.

In Xia's eyes, street dance has, over the past decade, become a vibrant bridge connecting global dance trends with distinctively Chinese cultural narratives. It stands as a modern platform through which Chinese youth can express themselves, tell their stories, and explore their identities through movement and creativity.

As a representative of China's younger generations, Li Yongqiu's journey in street dance and his exploration of Chinese culture have just begun. He noted that he will continue to dance passionately and looks forward to performing on even bigger stages in the future, aiming to compete at the Olympic Games one day.