Jeff Dunne, a 16-year-old former resident of Mount Gravatt East, is set to represent Australia in breaking at the Paris Olympics.
Read: Olympians and Paralympians Challenge Venue Decision on QSAC in Mt Gravatt
This opportunity comes after Dunne’s stunning victory at the Oceania Breaking Championship held at the Sydney Town Hall last November, where he triumphed over 37 contenders from Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia.
Born in Davao City, Philippines, Dunne was adopted by an Australian family as a baby. His journey in dance began early in life and took a significant turn when his family moved from Mount Gravatt East to Casuarina, just south of the Queensland border, when he was seven.
Dunne’s passion for breaking ignited when he was just five years old, sneaking into breaking classes while his older sister attended hip hop lessons at a Brisbane dance studio. Initially content to watch from the corner, Dunne soon began showcasing his moves, demonstrating a natural talent for the art form.
Dunne began private lessons on the Gold Coast with renowned local b-boys Gaz Griffiths and Liam Masters, eventually joining their dance crew, Team Cream. Together, they participated in numerous dynamic and energetic battles.
In 2019, Dunne, competing as “J Attack” claimed his first Australian Youth Championship and has since accumulated titles worldwide, with victories in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, Holland, and the US.
By 2022, he was ranked ninth globally and finished within the top 16 at the world under-18 championships. His achievements in breaking were further recognised in 2023 when he became the first breaker to receive a Sport Australia Hall of Fame scholarship.
Breaking at the Paris Olympics
Breaking, a dance style rooted in 1970s hip hop culture in the United States, is distinguished by its acrobatic movements, stylized footwork, and the integral roles of the DJ and master of ceremonies during battles. Known also as breakdancing, it will make its Olympic debut at Paris 2024.
The Olympics will feature two breaking events: one for men (B-boys) and one for women (B-girls). In these events, athletes will compete in dance battles, judged on creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality. Success in breaking demands a blend of dance moves from three basic categories: top rock, down rock, and freeze.
At Paris 2024, 16 B-boys and 16 B-girls will compete in solo battles. Athletes will combine power moves and improvisation to the beat of the DJ’s tracks, striving to win the judges’ votes.
Read: Upgrades Foreseen at the QSAC in Nathan for the 2032 Olympics
As Jeff Dunne steps onto the Olympic stage, he brings with him not only his exceptional talent but also the dreams and support of a community that has watched him grow from a young boy sneaking into dance classes to a world-class athlete representing his country on the biggest stage in sports.
Published 19-June-2024
