Olympic breaking: Refugee DQ'd, Japan's Ami wins gold

PARIS -- Afghan-born Manizha Talash, a member of the refugee Olympic team at the Paris Games, was disqualified after displaying the words "Free Afghan Women" on her cape during her breaking routine in the competition's pre-qualifiers on Friday.

Talash, a 21-year-old who lives in Spain, wore a light blue cape that had the phrase written on it with large white letters during her pre-qualifier loss to India Sardjoe of Netherlands.

Political slogans and statements are banned on the field of play and on podiums at the Olympics.

Talash was "disqualified for displaying a political slogan on her attire," the World DanceSport Federation said in a statement.

The Paris Games are the third Olympics where a team of refugees is taking part, with 37 athletes competing in 12 different sports, including athletics, badminton and boxing.

Afghanistan is represented by a contingent of three women and three men, in a largely symbolic move by the International Olympic Committee as a message to the country, which under Taliban rule has restricted women's and girls' access to sports and gyms.

Both the head of Afghanistan's national Olympic committee recognized by the IOC and its secretary general are currently in exile.

The Taliban -- who say they respect women's rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs -- have closed girls' high schools, placed travel restrictions on women without a male guardian and restricted access to parks and gyms since seizing power in August 2021.

The IOC has said no Taliban official has been accredited for the Games.

In the breaking competition, Japan's Ami Yuasa blended artistry and athleticism to win a battle against Lithuania's Dominika Banevic and dance her way to the first Olympic gold medal ever awarded in the sport.

Yuasa, known as B-Girl Ami, immediately broke out some impressive air flairs in the final and laid down a series of halos to seal the 3-0 win over B-Girl Nicka and bring the crowd at La Concorde to its feet.

Yuasa, known for her footwork, flow and wide range of moves, was locked into the wall-shaking soundtrack throughout the engrossing battle.

She was overcome with joy when the competition's two MCs raised her arms like a winning prizefighter in the middle of a stage that was a cross between a disco dance floor and a mixed martial arts octagon.

"The fact that breaking was added to the Olympic Games was a great thing because it allowed people to discover all the wonderful things about breaking," Yuasa said. "Everyone who competed today was able to communicate the wonderful aspects of breaking."

China's Liu Qingyi, B-Girl 671, took bronze after overpowering the Netherlands' India Sardjoe, B-Girl India, 2-1.

Yuasa, 25, honed her craft at Mizonokuchi Station in Kanagawa and went on to become a three-time world championship medalist before making her Olympic breakthrough on Friday.

B-Girl Nicka, the popular 17-year-old world champion who has a fluid style and competes with an ever-present smile, said she was proud to be part of the event.

"We made history tonight. Breaking's first time at the Olympics," Banevic told Eurosport. "I'm so happy people could feel our energy and see how wonderful breaking is. More and more people will be interested in breaking now. It's a unique art form."

Breaking is not on the program for Los Angeles 2028, a decision Yuasa said was "regretful."

"I would have loved to see breaking in the L.A. Olympics because it originated in the U.S.," she said.

"But without Olympics, I think B-Boys and B-Girls will continue the passion of breaking, and the breaking scene will continue to be wonderful and exciting even without the Olympics.

"As far as the future of breaking goes, there is no problem at all."

--Reuters, Special to Field Level Media