Fulfilling a need: What led to the USBA/WBA

Over the years, breaking has gained more mainstream popularity through the inclusion of breaking events and divisions at some of the top tournaments in the world. This combined with television exposure on ESPN2 and a variety of other widely watched television shows, has given the public a view of the spectacle that is "Breaking". Televised breaking competitions and live events have captivated audiences through the seemingly impossible feats that are displayed. It has also sparked the interest of new competitors and practitioners who want to take that next step in their training and competitive careers.

For all of its awe and increasing popularity, breaking in general is still years behind other sports in terms of event organization, practitioner and public information, and competitor recognition. Breakers are in many ways some of the most intense, diverse, and physically capable competitors that can be found in any sport. It is time to improve on the leaps and bounds that have been made over the past several years and change the areas that are in need of change.

Unification and Competitor Diversity

The USBA/WBA is committed to bringing more diversity to the sport of competitive breaking. It will open doors to all competitors and give them an opportunity to compete in a variety of divisions, testing their abilities in many ways. At the same time it will provide standardization throughout the USBA/WBA circuit.

The USBA/WBA is working with promoters in setting up prize money for winning competitors. The USBA/WBA will also be pushing to get mainstream sponsors for events. The recognition of the breaking competitor and the sport as a whole is another area that has been touched on but has an unlimited potential. ESPN2 coverage and Discovery Channel's special 'Extreme Martial Arts' has afforded much mainstream exposure to the sport. These shows have had a great response from both Martial Artists and the non-practicing viewer. Now is the time to expand on the successes of these and similar shows.

Event Organization

The USBA/WBA has put together a complete plan to address all logistic and safety concerns to make competitive breaking less hectic and chaotic. In order to compete to the best of their abilities breakers need to be focused on the actual competition and less on the logistics associated with the event.

A Promoter's View: Working with the Competitor

The backbone of competitive breaking is the breaker. We believe the promoters who have worked hard at bringing the sport to this level are well aware of this, but many times do not have the resources to better the competitor's experience and address their individual concerns. The USBA/WBA wants to work with promoters to bring about positive changes to competitive breaking. We see unlimited potential for all areas of the sport and would like to close the gap between the promoter and the competitor.

Mainstream Sponsorship

Sponsor backing brings a variety of opportunities to the sport they are involved in. By bringing standardization, professionalism, and a yearly circuit of competitions to competitive breaking, the USBA/WBA has a package that will be sponsor friendly.

Variety of Divisions

The USBA/WBA has a variety of divisions for competitors young and old, beginners to veterans, from power to creative to specialty divisions. We see the potential out there and want make the most of it, for all involved. There is an untapped group of competitors who eagerly await the chance to display their abilities.