The Dutch breaking world champion tells Olympics.com how she got into the sport, why she doesn't use a stage name, how she analyses opponents, and what fans can expect from the sport at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
5 minBy Chloe Merrell and Andrew Binner
Breaking
Even in the eclectic world of breaking, India Sardjoe, also known as B-Girl India, does things a little differently.
While most dancers, known as B-Girls or B-Boys, compete under a pseudonym that could represent their alter ego, the 16-year-old athlete chose to use her real name.
“Many people have asked why I don’t use a B-Girl name, but since I was young it’s always been this way,” Sardjoe told Olympics.com.
“Nobody gave me a crazy name or started calling me something else. I wouldn’t change it for anything, and forever it will be just India.”
It’s a small but poignant decision that demonstrates her authenticity both in and out of competition; she’s not copying anyone else’s style.
Another reason that the name will not change is that B-Girl India took the breaking world by storm in 2022, becoming the Dutch, European, and world champion in the space of six months.
This success means that B-Girl India will certainly be one to watch in the run up to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, where the sport is set to make its Olympic debut.
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B-Girl India: Switching from football to breaking
India Sardjoe was born and raised in The Hague, Netherlands.
Her dance journey started with hip-hop classes, before she switched to breaking at the age of seven.
“I found hip hop a little bit boring. Because I was so young the steps were a bit basic and it wasn’t really for me,” she continued.
“But I saw breaking classes at the same school and I was blown away by it. It really was a spectacle.
“You had to be eight for breaking class and I was only seven, but I wanted it so badly. They saw my potential and allowed me to join, which was really cool.
“I had to give up football too, but my dad encouraged me to try breaking. My parents always stood behind me and spent their lives driving me to competitions, and they love coming to my battles.”
Breaking into the Olympics
B-Girl India's creative process
Breaking encourages individuality.
Athletes take their inspiration from many different places, and constantly evolve the sport through creating new routines.
“Of course I like the big moves, but you can figure out thousands more moves too, there is so much freedom in this sport,” Sardjoe said.
_“_I dance the whole day, like when I'm listening to music and I'm waiting for the tram I'll see myself moving and tell myself to behave normal while in public!
_“_I really like working on my signature moves, but I’m still developing my style. Learning new things is a really long process.
“This means you can do it at your own tempo and your own level and it can also be really chill if you’re feeling lazy one day at practice!”
Another key part of the routine-building process is music, and it’s another area that showcases B-Girl India’s individuality.
“My playlists are so different, I don’t listen to traditional break music. I like everything from Adele to afrobeats and Dutch hip hop.” she said.
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But competition breaking isn’t all about freestyling.
As with any other elite sport, it requires preparation, analysis, and strategy.
_“_When I have to battle someone, I look at their level, of course, and see what I should do to be better than them,” she revealed.
“I still need to do my own thing but it helps me make a plan. Before the battle is the most important part, like what you do at practice, how well you practise your moves, your cardio, everything. If you get this right, it’s an advantage in the battle."
The preparation phase is so important, in fact, that Sardjoe has to be mindful of not posting too much of her training on social media, which would give her potential rivals an advantage.
“I don’t like to show my moves too much so that they can be a surprise in the battles. So it's also like a strategy.” - B-Girl India to Olympics.com
What to expect from Olympic breaking at Paris 2024 according to B-Girl India
This strategy will be on full show when breaking makes its Olympic debut at Paris 2024, should Sardjoe qualify.
“People who are new to breaking are going to be impressed. They will be surprised by the skills on show,” she said.
“The level is going to be so high because it’s just the top-16 in the world. The best of the best.”
Breakers will compete as individuals at the Olympics, but the teenage prodigy also pointed out that it could still be considered a team sport.
She is a member of both the Heavyhitters and Hustlekidz dance crews, and sees their support as integral to her success.
_“_You practise with your crew and you grow better together,” she explained.
“They are like family to me and we motivate and inspire each other. You can only get better as a team and sometimes we also compete together at team competitions.
Olympic Qualifier Explainer - Breaking
Unlike many other sports at the Olympics, breaking rivals also often practise together and form friendships away from competition.
“I live near B-Girl Pauline from Germany and I like to practise and hang out with her. There’s also B-Girl Vanessa from Portugal. We prepared our routines together and then had to battle each other at the Europeans which was really funny!”
Sardjoe is also competing at the WDSF Breaking for Gold World Series event, 24-25 February in Kitakyushu, Japan, which is live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com.
In addition to being a Paris 2024 Olympic qualifying event, the teenage sensation will also have to deal with the pressure of competing individually for the first time since becoming the world champion.
But she typically seemed unphased ahead of the occasion.
“Oh I’ll just have to see how it goes and see how I feel. I’ll let you know if the pressure was too much after!”
