Two teams from Wollongong’s only street-dance studio, Street Beatz, placed 10th in their respective semi-finals at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, held from July 25 to August 1.
‘Floor Scuffz’ competed in the adult division and ‘Fall Guys’ in the Mini Crew division, according to Hip Hop International’s results page. The results continue Street Beatz’s decade-long run at the international competition.
Floor Scuffz dancer Wade Bissett, competing at Worlds for the third year running, said the level of competition at the event had shown the team what they were up against.
“With larger groups going to Worlds from Australia, we get to see what world-level dancers really look like,” Mr Bissett said.
“Japan, Canada, Philippines; they all have world-class dancers.”
He said the number of Australian teams making an impact at Worlds had grown steadily.
“I would say more teams come from Australia every year we go,” he said.
“The amount of Australian teams doing well, as well, has definitely improved.”
Fall Guys lead choreographer and dancer Connor Gregory said watching Street Beatz dancers compete internationally had shown him what was possible from his own studio.
“I remember the first crew from Street Beatz, and seeing people from the place I train at going to an international level,” Mr Gregory said.
“They had the same opportunity that I had to train there, so seeing that is like ‘wow, I could do it as well’.”
He said the exposure was drawing more people into the local scene.
“The more exposure it has, and the more people get to see it on higher levels, inspires people and makes them want to join in,” he said.
Bissett said the studio’s younger students consistently showed a spike in engagement after major competitions.
“A drive in our younger students taking more classes or practising outside of their own class time is noticeable following a big event like Worlds,” he said.
Street Beatz is aiming to return to Worlds in 2027.
