Local News

Kagoshima High Schooler Is World Champion Freestyle Dancer

Yuki Kato, a 17-year old resident of Kagoshima City, took home top prize in the freestyle division of Snipes Funkin’ Style, a hip-hop dance competition held in Berlin last November. In the semi-final, she defeated the reigning champ, a German contestant, before advancing to a dance-off with a Russian finalist. Each performer danced three times, and a panel of six judges chose Kato unanimously. Af 17 years and two months, Kato became the youngest winner in the contests’ history. “The joy of just being able to dance at the contest eliminated any tension I had,” said Kato. Kato began dancing when she was seven, spurred on by her love of idol group Morning Musume. She joined her elder brother’s dance class and rose through the ranks quickly. In Grade 6, she won the Japan nationals, and in junior high, she won the Asian championship. “I may have been a shut-in if I hadn’t been exposed to street dancing,” admits Kato. Her dream is to make street dancing as popular as baseball and soccer. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 2/17

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Published: Feb 23, 2015 / Last Updated: Apr 1, 2016

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