Battle of the Year – South Asia finals 2012

Battle of the Year, the most awaited and biggest international B-boy battle, for the first time in its illustrious 22-year history was held in India. Battle of the Year – commonly referred to as BOTY – is an annual international b-boying or breakdancing crew competition that began in 1990. Regional qualifying tournaments, or preliminaries, are held worldwide culminating in the BOTY International, widely regarded as the premier B-boying tournament, and the winning crews are hailed as being the best breakers in the world. Battle of the Year has been gaining recognition every year, and the numbers of fans and venue capacities have been ever on the rise, with the World finals attracting over 10000 people at once, who flock over to watch the best crews from Asia, Africa, Scandinavia, Balkans, as well as other regions of Europe. BOTY India only started in 2011.

Catalyst Dance Academy and IITM Choreo Club in association with Saarang 2013 presented the South Asia 2012 finals of Battle of the Year, which took place in the Open Air Theatre, IIT Madras on October 7. Involving countries all over Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Nepal, India and Taiwan, several rdance crews competed for the prestigious prize. The competition was judged by Renowned B-boys, B-boy Cico from Italy Spinkingz Crew, B-boy Bojin from Taiwan T.P.E.C., and B-boy Gee One from Thailand, who evaluated the crews peformances by looking ay several aspects:artistry, technicality, theme, synchronicity and choreography.

The South Asia winner was "Radical Force" who represent Singapore, with Thailand’s "Beat Heroes" as the runners up. They proceed to the showdown event – the World finals, held in Montpellier, France, where they stand a chance to compete with the respective regional champions like Flooriorz, Pockemon, Reckless Gang and last year’s World champions, Vagabonds.

Saarang 2013, the annual cultural festival of IIT Madras, will be taking place on January 9-13, 2013. Saarang is the biggest fest of its kind in South India, with a footfall of 50,000+, more than 50 different events and attracting people from all over the country.

Check out some of the images from the event!