"I started to practice breaking when I was four years old, and my father has always been supporting me because he was also a street dancer," said 15-year-old Yu Ziang of Beijing, who won a bronze at the Youth Games.

"I've been a b-boy for 11 years. I have a dancing room in my home, so it's easy to balance school and dancing.

"I practice every day after school and I do not rest on weekends."

Yu said he was thrilled when the Youth Games added the competition, and to prepare for the showdown in Shanxi he practiced constantly during his summer vacation. His mornings are consumed by strength training, while in the afternoons he hones his dancing and spends nights prepping for one-on-one battles.

His passion for breaking, fueled by a dream to one day represent China at the Olympics, keeps Yu motivated.