Battle of the Year
The Battle of the Year (abbreviated BOTY ) is an annual, international breakdance competition. In the tournament, which consists of the finals and preliminary competitions, crews of dancers from different regions of the world compete against each other.
General
The Battle of the Year was founded in 1990 by Thomas Hergenröther and initially took place in the Döhren leisure center in Hanover. From 2001 the Volkswagen Hall in Braunschweig was the venue for a long time . After the Battle of the Year International had been held in Montpellier (France) for three years in a row , the 2013 final returned to Braunschweig.
Format of the series
The tournament begins every year with a series of qualification tournaments (so-called preliminaries) in groups of countries as well as in some individual countries, the winners of which take part in BOTY International .
At the beginning there are the choreographies of the individual groups, in which the crews present a show of a maximum of 6 minutes and thus demonstrate their ability to combine the different styles in breakdancing. A jury evaluates the competing groups, with certain criteria applying to the shows. Then the four best groups are determined on the basis of the shows, which then compete directly against each other in so-called battles, a type of dance competition. In the semi-finals, the first-placed crew dances against the fourth-placed crew, and the second-placed crew against the third-placed crew. The winners of the respective semi-finals then fight for the world championship title. In addition, the crew with the highest rating for the choreography receives an award for the best show.
Evaluation criteria
A five-person jury, made up of b-boy legends, rates the shows based on two main elements: elements of art and technology, which include additional criteria. The artistic element includes u. a. the points theme, music, synchronicity and choreography. The technical element includes, for example, Toprock, Uprock, Footwork and Powermoves.
Qualification and Preliminaries
The champion of the world championship is always invited directly to the event of the next year in order to be able to defend his title. All other groups qualify in the preliminary rounds held worldwide. In a few exceptions it happened that crews were invited directly (mostly when there were no preliminary decisions in the respective region).
The qualifications consist firstly of country-specific preliminary rounds and also of regional preliminary rounds. Originally, each country had its own qualifying competition, sending a group to the world championships. However, some countries grew together into regions over the years. For example, in 2007 the new BOTY Asia started as a regional preliminary round, with which the best 3 crews of this competition are now sent to the world championship. In previous years, however, countries such as Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan sent their best crew from their own qualifications to the competition.
Qualification of country groups
This table shows the regions and the respective countries for this region, as well as the number of crews that were or will be sent to the World Cup.
| region | skillful crews | countries |
|---|---|---|
| BOTY Asia | 3 |
 People's Republic of China , Indonesia , Japan , South Korea , Laos , Malaysia , Philippines , Singapore , Taiwan , Thailand , Vietnam         
|
| BOTY Balkans | 1 |
 Albania , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Cyprus , Greece , North Macedonia , Montenegro , Romania , Serbia , Turkey        
|
| BOTY BeNeLux | 1 |
 Belgium , Luxembourg , the Netherlands 
|
| BOTY Iberica | 1 |
 Portugal , Spain
|
| BOTY North East Europe * | 0 |
 Belarus , Estonia , Latvia , Lithuania  
|
| BOTY Scandinavia * | 0 |
 Denmark , Finland , Norway , Sweden . The countries BOTY North East Europe were able to participate in BOTY Scandinavia after the group was dissolved . *
   |
| BOTY South East Europe | 0 | ? Bosnia and Herzegovina , (see BOTY CE )
|
| BOTY Central Europe | 1 |
Denmark , Estonia , Finland , Croatia , Latvia , Lithuania , Norway , Austria , Poland , Sweden , Switzerland , Slovenia , Slovakia , Czech Republic , Hungary , United Kingdom .
         |
* BOTY North East Europe and Scandinavia were regional preliminary decisions. All European countries that do not have their own preliminary decisions at national level have been able to take part in BOTY Central Europe since 2013 . According to the website of the organizer Six Step GmbH, the countries listed above in the group BOTY Central Europe from these dissolved groups are included this year.
National qualifications
Countries represented in 2013 with their own preliminary rounds (one crew per country): Brazil , France , Germany , Israel , Italy , Singapore , South Africa , the United States , Belarus .
Qualification of German-speaking countries
- In Germany there has been a joint national preliminary decision for the Battle of the Year tournament since 2011 . Before that, there were four individual regional competitions within the country.
- Austria previously applied in the Southeast Europe group, now in the Central Europe group ( BOTY Central Europe ).
- Switzerland, whose annual tournament to apply for the international BOTY, was the Battle of the Year Switzerland in Zurich, now competes in the Central and Central Europe group.
The former preliminary competitions in Germany were:
- Battle of the East
- The Battle of the East, the East German breakdance championship, was from 1997 to 2010 one of the 4 preliminary decisions for the qualification for the Battle of the Year national. The BOTE is the tournament for the federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Thuringia. Since 1997 the Steinhaus e. V. from Bautzen, organizer and host of the annual competition. In cooperation with various partners, the association regularly organizes a supporting program with workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and parties around the event. The Battle of the East has been held in Leipzig since 2005.
- Battle of the South
- The Battle of the South or Battle of the South is the southern German breakdance championship and is therefore also of national importance for qualifying for the BOTY. The federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saarland are represented here.
- Battle of the Year North and West Germany
- The preliminary round for North and West Germany, formerly known as Münsterbattle, exists for the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein as well as for Bremen and Hamburg.
- Battle of Berlin
- Due to the special size of the breakdance scene in the metropolis of Berlin, the capital also received its own preliminary decision for the Battle of the Year national until 2010 with the Battle of Berlin (formerly B-Berlin Open), the Berlin Championship.
Battle of the Year Germany
Here the three best groups from the four regional qualifications and the winning crew from the previous year competed against each other. The first-placed qualifies for the international final in Braunschweig . BOTY Germany has been taking place in the Hanover Pavilion since 2002.
BOTY International Champions since 1990
| year | winner | Runner-up | Best show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |
Last Squad
|
Artistreet | Artistreet |
| 2018 |
Jinjo |
Found Nation | Jinjo |
| 2017 |
The Floorriorz |
Vagabonds | The Flooriorz |
| 2016 |
The Floorriorz |
Melting Force | Melting Force |
| 2015 |
The Floorriorz |
Kienjuice | Doble KO team |
| 2014 |
 Predatorz |
Fusion MC | Fusion MC |
| 2013 |
Fusion MC |
The ruggeds | Floorriorz |
| 2012 |
Vagabonds |
Floorriorz | Vagabonds |
| 2011 |
Vagabonds |
Battle Born | Vagabonds |
| 2010 |
Jinjo |
Mortal Combat | Mortal Combat |
| 2009 |
Gamblerz |
Top 9 | All area |
| 2008 |
Top 9 |
TIP | Top 9 |
| 2007 |
Extremes |
Turn phase crew | Turn phase crew |
| 2006 |
Vagabonds
|
Last for One | Vagabonds |
| 2005 |
Last for One |
Ichigeki | Ichigeki |
| 2004 |
Gamblerz |
Fantastic Armada | Break the funk |
| 2003 |
Pockemon |
Expression | Fire Works |
| 2002 |
Expression |
Vagabonds | Vagabonds |
| 2001 |
Wanted posse
|
Team Ohh | Visual shock |
| 2000 |
Flying steps
|
Waseda Breakers | Waseda Breakers |
| 1999 |
Suicidal lifestyle |
Rock Force crew | Spartanic Rockers |
| 1998 |
Rock Force crew |
The Family | Spartanic Japan |
| 1997 |
Style elements |
South Side Rockers | South Side Rockers |
| 1996 |
Toys In Effect |
Enemy Squad | Not awarded |
| 1995 |
/ The Family |
Enemy Squad | |
| 1994 |
Left Vuesse |
Enemy Squad | |
| 1993 |
 Always rockin 'tuff |
Fresh Force | |
| 1992 |
Battle Squad |
Second to None | |
| 1991 |
Battle Squad |
TDB | |
| 1990 |
/ TDB |
Crazy Force Crew |
year 2014
World Cup 2014: results
| Quarterfinals 3rd vs. 6th and 4th vs. 5th place | Semifinals | final | |||||||||||
| 1 | Fusion MC
|
W. | |||||||||||
| 2 | The ruggeds
|
L. | SINE
|
L. | |||||||||
| 3 | SINE crew
|
W. | Fusion MC
|
2. | |||||||||
| Predatorz
|
1. | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Predatorz
|
W. | |||||||||||
| 2 | Infamous
|
L. | Body Carnival
|
L. | |||||||||
| 3 | Body Carnival
|
W. | |||||||||||
Year 2014: list of crews
| Crew, location | qualification |
|---|---|
 619 fur ore |
Winner BOTY Nigeria |
|
Black out crew |
Winner BOTY Balkans |
|
Body Carnival |
Winner BOTY Japan |
 Crazy Elements Crew |
Winner BOTY Senegal |
|
Fusion MC |
Winner BOTY Finals 2013 |
 Gravedad Zero |
Winner BOTY Mexico |
|
Infamous |
Winner BOTY France |
|
Last Alive |
BOTY Italy winner |
|
Predatorz |
Winner BOTY CIS / Belarus |
|
SINE crew |
Winner BOTY South Asia |
|
Soul Mavericks |
Winner BOTY Central Europe |
|
Street Son Crew |
Winner BOTY Brazil |
|
Ten Years in a Moment |
Winner BOTY Taiwan |
|
The ruggeds |
Winner BOTY BeNeLux |
|
The Saxonz
|
Winner BOTY Germany |
|
Unstoppabullz |
Winner BOTY Israel |
year 2013
World Cup 2013: Results
| Quarterfinals 3rd vs. 6th and 4th vs. 5th place | Semifinals | final | |||||||||||
| 1 | B-Town Allstars
|
L. | |||||||||||
| 2 |  Vinotinto
|
L. | Fusion MC
|
W. | |||||||||
| 3 | Fusion MC
|
W. | Fusion MC
|
1. | |||||||||
| The ruggeds
|
2. | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Floorriorz
|
L. | |||||||||||
| 2 | KGB TC Unity
|
L. | The ruggeds
|
W. | |||||||||
| 3 | The ruggeds
|
W. | |||||||||||
Best show : Floorriorz
Year 2013: list of crews
| Crew, location | qualification |
|---|---|
|
WaveOmatics |
|
|
De Klan |
|
|
Floorriorz |
|
|
Hunters Crew, Minsk |
|
|
SINE crew |
|
|
Vinotinto |
|
|
KGB TC Unity |
|
|
Fusion MC |
|
|
Soul Mavericks |
|
|
Unstopabullz |
|
|
The ruggeds |
|
|
B-Town Allstars, Berlin |
|
|
Knucklehead Zoo, Las Vegas |
|
|
Melting Force |
|
|
Space Unlimited |
Year 2012
World Cup 2012: results
| Semifinals | final | |||||||
| 1 |
Pockemon crew
|
L. | ||||||
| 4th |
Vagabonds
|
W. | ||||||
|
Vagabonds
|
1. | |||||||
|
Floorriorz
|
2. | |||||||
| 2 |
Morning of Owl
|
L. | ||||||
| 3 |
Floorriorz
|
W. | ||||||
Best show : Vagabonds
Year 2012: list of crews
| Crew, location | qualification |
|---|---|
|
Prodigy crew |
Winner, BOTY SEE 2009/12 |
|
Supremos crew, Valencia |
|
|
Pockemon Crew, Lyon |
|
|
Hunters Crew, Minsk |
|
|
De Clan, Roma / Napoli |
Winner BOTY Italy 2009 |
 Lhiba Kingzoo |
|
|
Formosa crew |
3rd place, BOTY Asia 2009 |
|
Morning of Owl, Suwon |
|
|
Dead Prezz, Athens |
|
|
The Floorriorz |
2nd place 2012 |
|
Kosher Flava |
|
 Upper underground |
|
|
Reckless gang |
|
|
Unity crew |
Winner BOTY South Africa 2012 |
|
Team Shmetta |
|
|
Vagabonds |
1st place 2012 |
|
Space Unlimited |
|
 Kamikaz crew, Tizi-Ouzou |
Year 2009
World Cup 2009: Results
| Semifinals | final | |||||||
| 1 |
Gamblerz
|
W. | ||||||
| 4th |
Phase-T
|
L. | ||||||
|
Gamblerz
|
W. | |||||||
|
Top 9
|
L. | |||||||
| 2 |
All area crew
|
L. | ||||||
| 3 |
Top 9
|
W. | ||||||
Best show : All Area Crew
Year 2009: list of crews
| crew | qualification |
|---|---|
|
Top 9 |
Champion, BOTY International 2008 |
|
Soul Mavericks |
Winner, BOTY UK 2009 |
|
Phase T |
Winner, BOTY France 2009 |
|
Prodigy crew |
Winner, BOTY SEE 2009 |
|
Breakers Without Fear |
Winner, BOTY Balkans 2009 |
|
Belarusian b-boys |
Winner, BOTY CIS 2009 |
|
Team Shmetta |
Winner, BOTY Benelux 2009 |
|
Gamblerz
|
2nd place, BOTY Asia 2009 |
|
Formosa |
3rd place, BOTY Asia 2009 |
|
All area |
Winner, BOTY Asia 2009 |
 Myztical |
Winner, BOTY Caricom 2009 |
|
Unstopabulls |
Winner, BOTY Israel 2009 |
|
Octagon |
Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2009 |
|
De Klan |
Winner BOTY Italy 2009 |
|
Funk Fellaz |
Winner BOTY Germany 2009 |
|
Ubuntu B Boyz |
Winner BOTY Africa 2009 |
|
Knuckle Head Zoo |
Direct participation |
|
Ghost rockz |
Winner BOTY Switzerland 2009 |
|
Amazon B Boyz |
Winner BOTY Brazil 2009 |
Year 2008
World Cup 2008: results
| Semifinals | final | |||||||
| 1 |
TIP
|
W. | ||||||
| 4th |
Formosa
|
L. | ||||||
|
TIP
|
L. | |||||||
|
Top 9
|
W. | |||||||
| 2 |
Top 9
|
W. | ||||||
| 3 |
smokémon
|
L. | ||||||
Best show : Top 9
Year 2008: list of crews
This list is in chronological order from the date of qualification.
| crew | qualification |
|---|---|
|
Extreme crew |
Champion, BOTY International 2007 |
|
Bad Taste Cru |
Winner, BOTY UK 2008 |
|
Groove Kingz |
Winner, BOTY Benelux 2008 |
|
Smokemon |
Winner, BOTY France 2008 |
|
Dead Prezz |
Winner, BOTY Balkans 2008 |
|
Crazy Twisting Tribal Team |
Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2008 |
|
Top 9 |
Winner, BOTY Russia 2008 |
|
La Halla King Zoo |
Winner, BOTY West Africa 2008 |
|
TIP
|
Winner, BOTY Asia 2008 |
|
Formosa |
2nd place, BOTY Asia 2008 |
|
Kaiten ninja |
3rd place, BOTY Asia 2008 |
 Now or Never |
Winner, BOTY Canada 2008 |
|
Unstopabulls |
Winner, BOTY Israel 2008 |
|
Ghost rockz |
Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2008 |
|
Tsunami Allstars |
Winner, BOTY Brazil 2008 |
|
TNT crew |
Winner, BOTY Germany 2008 |
|
Octagon |
Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2008 |
|
Fallen Angels crew |
Winner, BOTY Iberica 2008 |
|
Furious Soldiers |
Winner, BOTY USA 2008 |
Year 2007
World Cup 2007: Results
| Semifinals | final | |||||||
| 1 |
Legiteam obstruction
|
L. | ||||||
| 4th |
Extreme crew
|
W. | ||||||
|
Extreme crew
|
W. | |||||||
|
Turn Phrase Crew
|
L. | |||||||
| 2 |
Turn Phrase Crew
|
W. | ||||||
| 3 |
Funk Fellaz
|
L. | ||||||
Best show : Turn Phrase Crew
Year 2007: list of crews
This list is in chronological order from the date of qualification.
| crew | qualification |
|---|---|
|
Hoochen |
Winner, BOTY Benelux 2007 |
|
Sick 7 |
Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2007 |
|
Plastic Def Squad |
Winner, BOTY Balkans 2007 |
|
Legiteam obstruction |
Winner, BOTY France 2007 |
|
Rapid soul moves |
Winner, BOTY Italy 2007 |
|
Fallen Angels crew |
Winner, BOTY Iberica 2007 |
|
Extreme (Obo Wang) crew |
Winner, BOTY Asia 2007 |
|
Turn Phrase Crew |
2nd place, BOTY Asia 2007 |
|
Ground scatter crew |
3rd place, BOTY Asia 2007 |
|
Breakerholics |
Winner, BOTY Israel 2007 |
|
Ultimate desperados |
Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2007 |
|
Funk Fellaz |
Winner, BOTY Germany 2007 |
|
Ruff'n'X crew |
Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2007 |
|
DF Zulu Breakers |
Winner, BOTY Brazil 2007 |
|
Vagabonds (withdrew) |
Champion, BOTY International 2006 |
|
Last Minute Crew (withdrew) |
Winner, BOTY South Africa 2007 |
Year 2006
World Cup 2006: results
| Semifinals | final | |||||||
| 1 |
Vagabonds
|
W. | ||||||
| 4th |
Drift ore
|
L. | ||||||
|
Vagabonds
|
W. | |||||||
|
Last for One
|
L. | |||||||
| 2 |
Last for One
|
W. | ||||||
| 3 |
B-Town Allstars
|
L. | ||||||
Best show : Vagabonds
2006: list of crews
| crew | qualification |
|---|---|
|
Last for One |
Champion, BOTY International 2005 |
|
Vagabonds |
Winner, BOTY France 2006 |
|
Electric Force Crew |
Winner, BOTY Balkans 2006 |
|
Octagon |
Winner, BOTY Scandinavia 2006 |
|
Top 9 |
Winner, BOTY Russia 2006 |
|
Moving Shadows |
Winner, BOTY South East Europe 2006 |
|
Ormus Force |
Winner, BOTY Italy 2006 |
|
Camelot |
Winner, BOTY North East Europe 2006 |
|
Mortal Combat |
Winner, BOTY Japan 2006 |
|
Fallen Angels |
Winner, BOTY Iberica 2006 |
|
Lions of Zion |
Winner, BOTY Israel 2006 |
|
STO |
Winner, BOTY China 2006 |
|
Knuckle Head Zoo |
Winner, BOTY USA 2006 |
|
Ground scatter crew |
Winner, BOTY South East Asia 2006 |
|
Ubuntu |
Winner, BOTY South Africa 2006 |
|
HRC |
Winner, BOTY Taiwan 2006 |
|
B-Town Allstars |
Winner, BOTY Germany 2006 |
|
Ruff'n'X crew |
Winner, BOTY Switzerland 2006 |
|
Drift ore |
Winner, BOTY Korea 2006 |
|
Floor burning |
Winner, BOTY Benelux 2006 |
Others
In 2007, filmmaker Benson Lee shot Planet B-Boy, a multi-award-winning documentary about the BOTY, which gives insights into the types of people and artists who participate and contribute to the Battle of the Year .
Individual evidence
- ↑ hiphopwontstop.com: Interview Thomas Hergenröther ( Memento from November 15, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Felix Klabe: Moving Scene , Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung of October 15, 2009
- ^ Website of the organizer Six Step GmbH battleoftheyear ( Memento from October 17, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Publications of the online magazine "In the spotlight" Editor Kourtis Internet Solutions Ltd., Zurich 2011 In the spotlight ( Memento from July 8, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ The Battle of the East becomes a Step In! -Battle . Publications of the website battleoftheeast.de
- ^ Battle of the Year South Germany
- ^ Battle of Berlin
- ↑ Crews battleoftheyear 2012 ( Memento from July 24, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Crews battleoftheyear 2009 ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Planet B-Boy on Internet Movie Database (IMDB)
Web links
- Official site of the Battle of the Year
- Battle of the Year TV Special at Mixery Raw Deluxe.TV