• Silverback Open Championships

SILVERBACK EVENT RECAPS…

Featured in five editions to date, each Silverback Open has showcased hundreds of the world’s top professional breakers gathered in one space for a premier competition, with prize money pools exceeding $100,000. The Silverback Open has been one of the world’s most challenging breaking competitions to win, because of the depth of the competitive field, with the winning breaker in the one-v-one open category needing to prevail in multiple rounds of single elimination over as many as 850 competitors from 50 countries or more to win in the final.

See links to recaps below.

SBO VSBO IVSBO IIISBO IISBO I

Silverback Open Championships V

The Silverback Open Championships V took place on October 27th and 28th, 2018 at a new venue named 2300 Arena, based in South Philadelphia. Nearly 850 breakers from 50 countries battled to get into the final rounds on a main stage and two cypher stages with three giant video screens run by and8 from Germany scheduling the breakers during the preliminaries and final rounds.

A panel of seven judged the 1-v-1 Open, 1-v-1 Bgirl, 3-v-3 Open, and 1-v-1 U14, with two alternates available in the event a judge happened to be in the same crew as a competitor, which brought the total judging panel to nine for the weekend.

The Silverback Open is a Champions Series level event on the Pro Breaking Tour and is organized by Silverback Bboy Events. The 2018 event was the fifth Silverback Open – the 1-v-1 Open is one of the most challenging breaking events in the world, given the depth and quality of the competitive field, featuring scores of past winners of leading international breaking competitions and Pro Breaking Tour events, many of whom do not get past the preliminaries.

As with all competitions, there can only be one first place winner in each category, and the Silverback Open had its well deserving victors in every category. In the 1-v-1 Open battle, Victor (Squadron / MF Kidz / Red Bull BC One All Stars) took first place over Stripes (Main Ingredientz / Flipside Kings); for the Bgirls, 15-year old Logistix (Underground Flow) prevailed over Jilou (Jimakeno Crew / Nin10do Crew); in the 3-v-3 Open, Plan B (Menno, Hong10, and Vero) took first over Navi Crew (Lussy Sky, Beetle, and Shigekix); and, in the U14 category, Lorenzo (born in 2005) took first over Kid Dynamite (2010).

Results of the final rounds are available on the and8 website.

Prize Money Breakdown

  • 1-on-1 OpenPrize Distribution: $26,800 Cash for the final 32 breakers + Gold and Silver Silverback Medals
    • $15,000 for first place + gold Silverback medal; $5,000 for second place + silver Silverback medal; $1,000 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $500 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $250 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $50 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd).
  • 1-on-1 Bgirl Battle Prize Distribution: $9,500 Cash for the final 8 Bgirl qualifiers who were selected from the 1-on-1 Open prelims + Gold and Silver Silverback Medals
    • $5,000 for first place + gold Silverback medal; $2,500 for second place + silver Silverback medal; $500 for each semifinal loser; $250 for each quarterfinal loser
  • 3-on-3 Open Crew Prize Distribution: $23,700 Cash for the top eight crews + Gold and Silver Silverback Medals
    • $12,000 for first place + gold Silverback medal; $4,500 for second place + silver Silverback medal; $2,400 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $600 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th).
  • 1-on-1 U14Prize Distribution: Gold and Silver Silverback Medals
    • Gold Silverback medal for first place; silver Silverback medal for second place

Judges for the 1-v-1 Open, 1-v-1 Bgirl, 3-on-3 Open, and 1-on-1 U14:

Seven judges and two alternates judges served for the Silverback Open V, including seven judges who were new to the main event – in five editions the Silverback Open has featured 47 different judges from around the world.

Main Judges:

  1. Crazy Legs – Rock Steady Crew (United States)
  2. Storm – Battle Squad (Germany)
  3. Poe One – Style Elements / Mighty Zulu Kings (United States)
  4. Narumi – Body Carnival (Japan)
  5. Skim – Jinjo Crew / 7 Commandos (Korea)
  6. Lil Cesar – Air Force Crew (United States)
  7. Goku – Soul Control (United States)

Alternates:

  1. Jeskilz – Cyper Adikts (United States and Algeria) [Alternates / Prelims]
  2. Renegade – Soul Mavericks (United Kingdom) [Alternates / Prelims]

Johnjay Chan and Bruce Newman managed the event logistics, with a great staff of breakers and event organizers assisting.

The DJs for the weekend were Lean Rock (Squadron / Boogie Brats), BlesOne (Knuckleheads Cali), Fleg (Lionz of Zion) and Foxx Boogie (Repstyles). As for emcees, Ivan the Urban Action Figure (Style Elements) and Nemesis (Breaks Crew) handled the main stage battles during the final rounds and prelims — Cros1 (FreeStyle Session) and Tyrone (The Notorious IBE / 45 Live) handled the cypher stages during the prelims.

The livestream was broadcast by Stance Elements and the hosts were Profo Won (Floor Games), Ark (808 Breakers), Candy (Floorlords), Queen (NV). Monster Energy was in the house with free giveaways of Monster Energy beverages, as were Tiger Balm and a.fatti. Gear from within the Bboy scene also made an appearance.

Photo Links:

  • Silverback Open Recap Photos

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Silverback Open Championships IV

The Silverback Open Championships IV took place on October 6th-8th 2017 at the YSC Sports complex outside of Philadelphia as part of the 2017 Pro Breaking Tour’s Champions Series. The event was organized by Silverback Bboy Events and paid $106,500 in cash prize money, plus a trips for the 1-v-1 winner to Undisputed (January 27th & 28th, San Diego, CA). A panel of seven judged the 1-on-1 Open, the 3-on-3 Open and the 1-on-1 Bgirl with two alternates in case a judge happened to be in the same crew as a competitor. The preliminary battles expanded the judging panel to five judges for each cypher.

Like all competitions, there can only be one first place winner and the Silverback Open Championships had its well deserving victors in every category. In the 1-on-1 Open battle, Issei (Found Nation) took first place over Alkolil (OBC Crew), in the 3-on-3 Open it was 7 Commandos (Hong 10, Wing, Skim) who took first over Bumblebee, Alkolil, and Robin, and for the Bgirls it was Ami over Ayumi (Body Carnival) in the 1-on-1 Bgirl final. In the first Bionic Boogie invitational, Firebac took first place overall.

A total of 954 breakers battled over the weekend, with 809 competing on Saturday and 199 crews competing on Sunday. Congratulations to all who battled!

Youth Olympic Games Continental Qualifier for the Americas

On Friday, October 6th the top youth breakers from North America, Central America, and South America battled it out for the top spot at the Youth Olympic Games Continental Qualifier for the Americas. Participants from seven different countries came to Philadelphia as part of the Silverback Open. Congratulations to Bboy D-Matt(Canada) and Bgirl Connie (USA) for winning their respective categories!

Judges for the Youth Olympic Qualifier:

  1. Storm (Germany)
  2. Renegade (UK)
  3. Narumi (Japan)
  4. Jeskilz (United States)
  5. Moy (United States)

Scroll to the galleries at the bottom of the page for photos from the qualifier taken by Kien Quan.

Prize Money Breakdown

  • 1-on-1 Open Prize Distribution: $45,500 Cash +  a trip to compete in Undisputed (San Diego, CA)

o $15,000 for first place + a trip to compete in Undisputed (January 27th & 28th, San Diego, CA); $7,500 for second place; $2,500 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $1,000 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $500 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $200 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd); $100 for each top 100 loser (33rd-100th).

  • 1-on-1 Bgirl Battle Prize Distribution: $15,000 Cash for the top 8 Bgirl

o $5,000 for first place; $2,500 for second place; $1,250 for each semifinal loser; $600 for each quarterfinal loser; $325 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th)

  • 3-on-3 Open Crew Prize Distribution: $42,000 Cash

o $12,000 for first place; $6,000 for second place; $3,000 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $1,200 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $750 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $450 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd).

  • Bionic Boogie Prize Distribution: $4,000 Cash

o $2,000 for first place; $1,250 for second place; $500 for 3rd place; $250 for 4th place.

Judges for the 1-on-1 Open, 3-on-3 Open and 1-on-1 Bgirl Battles:

  1. Sween – (France)
  2. Poe One – Style Elements (United States)
  3. Dyzee – Supernaturalz (Canada)
  4. A.T. – Flomo (Finland)
  5. Renegade – Soul Mavericks (UK)
  6. Wicket – Renegade Rockers (United States)
  7. Reveal – Killafornia, Rock Force (San Diego, CA)
  8. Fever One – Rock Steady Crew (United States) [alternate]
  9. Mounir – Vagabonds (France) [alternate]
  10. Hat Solo – Flowmo (Finland) [prelim]
  11. Goku – Soul Control (United States) [prelim]
  12. Rudy Rex – Havikoro (United States) [prelim]
  13. Servin Ervin – Cypher Adikts (United States) [prelim]
  14. Lil John – (United States) [prelim]
  15. Jeromeskee – Massive Monkees (United States) [prelim]

The DJs for the weekend were Lean Rock, BlesOne (Knuckleheads Cali), Fleg (Lionz of Zion) and Safire.

Monster Energy was in the house with free giveaways of Monster Energy beverages and alongside them were vendors from all over the US, providing gear from within the bboy scene.

We’ll be posting videos and pictures from the event in the upcoming days. Also, make sure to visit us on Facebook for even more content!

Photo Links:

Video Links:

Silverback Open Championships III

The Silverback Open Championships III took place on October 8th and 9th 2016 at the YSC Sports complex outside of Philadelphia as part of the 2016 Pro Breaking Tour’s Champions Series. The event was organized by Silverback Bboy Events and paid $100,000 in cash prize money, plus trips for several winners to the Freestyle Session World Finals in Los Angeles, as well as a trip to compete at Undisputed in Prague, Czech Republic for the 1-on-1 Open winner. A panel of seven judged the 1-on-1 Open, the 3-on-3 Open and the 1-on-1 Bgirl with two alternates in case a judge happened to be in the same crew as a competitor. The preliminary battles expanded the judging panel to five judges for each cypher.

Like all competitions, there can only be one first place winner and the Silverback Open Championships had its well deserving victors in every category. In the 1-on-1 Open battle, Thesis (Knuckleheads Cali) took first place over Issei (Found Nation), in the 3-on-3 Open it was Kuzya / Sunni / Pocket who took first over Super Crew (Ben Stacks, Lil G, Ronnie), and for the Bgirls it was Narumi (Body Carnival) over Bgirl AT (Flomo) in the 1-on-1 Bgirl final.

Prize Money Breakdown

  • 1-on-1 Open Prize Distribution: $45,500 Cash + Freestyle Session World Final Round Trip Flight + a trip to compete in the Undisputed in Prague, Czech Republic

o $15,000 for first place + round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals (November 12th & 13th; Los Angeles, CA) + a trip to compete in the Undisputed in Prague, Czech Republic; $7,500 for second place + round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals; $2,500 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th) + round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals; $1,000 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $500 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $200 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd); $100 for each top 100 loser (33rd-100th).

  • 1-on-1 Bgirl Battle Prize Distribution: $14,000 Cash for the top 8 Bgirl qualifiers (selected from the 1-on-1 Open prelims)

o $5,000 for first place; $2,250 for second place; $1,250 for each semifinal loser; $500 for each quarterfinal loser; $250 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th)

  • 3-on-3 Open Crew Prize Distribution: $42,000 Cash + 3 Freestyle Session World Final Round Trip Flights

o $12,000 for first place + 3 Round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals (November 12th & 13th; San Diego, CA); $6,000 for second place; $3,000 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $1,200 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $750 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $450 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd).

Judges for the 1-on-1 Open, 3-on-3 Open and 1-on-1 Bgirl Battles:

  1. Swift Rock – Battle Squad (Germany)
  2. Twixx – Massive Monkees (United States)
  3. Dyzee – Supernaturalz (Canada)
  4. Physix – Rivers (Korea)
  5. Moy – Havikoro, Monster Bboys (United States)
  6. Ronnie Ruen – Style Elements, Killafornia (United States)
  7. Renegade – Soul Mavericks (U.K.)
  8. Fever One – Rock Steady Crew (United States)[alternate]
  9. Wicket – Renegade Rockers (United States) [alternate]
  10. Reveal – Killafornia, Rock Force (San Diego, CA) [prelim]
  11. Wicked – Phase II (Chicago, IL) [prelim]
  12. Napalm – Beat Whakz (Philadelphia, PA) [prelim]
  13. Goku – Soul Control / Climax (Fresno, CA) [prelim]
  14. Mike the Cure – Knuckleheads Cali (Los Angeles, CA) [prelim]
  15. Jeromeskee – Massive Monkees (Seattle, WA) [prelim]

The DJs for the weekend were Lean Rock, BlesOne (Knuckleheads Cali), Fleg (Lionz of Zion) and Foxx Boogie (Repstyles) with support from DJ Scream (South Front).

Monster Energy was in the house with free giveaways of Monster Energy beverages and alongside them were vendors from all over the US, providing gear from within the bboy scene.

We’ll be posting videos and pictures from the event in the upcoming days. Also, make sure to visit us on Facebook for even more content!

Photo Links:

Video Links:

Silverback Open Championships II


The Silverback Open Championships II took place on October 10th and 11th 2015 at the YSC Sports complex outside of Philadelphia as part of the 2015 Pro Breaking Tour’s Champions Series. The event was organized by Silverback Bboy Events and paid $90,150 in cash prize money, plus trips for several winners to the Freestyle Session World Finals in Los Angeles, as well as a trip to compete at Undisputed in Marseille, France for the 1-on-1 Open winner. The 1-on-1 Open and 1-on-1 Bgirl winners also received a Mackie Freeplay Portable PA Speaker with the optional lithium ion battery allowing for 10 hours of continuous music. A panel of seven judged the 1-on-1 Open, the 3-on-3 Open and the 1-on-1 Bgirl with two alternates in case a judge happens to be in the same crew as a competitor.  The preliminary battles expanded the judging panel to five judges for each cypher.

Like all competitions, there can only be one first place winner and the Silverback Open Championships had it’s well deserving victors in every category. In the 1-on-1 Open battle, Victor (MF Kidz) took first place over Issei (Found Nation), in the 3-on-3 Open it was 7 Commandoz (Hong10, Wing, Skim) who took first over Polskee Flavor(Kleju, Yarko, Thomas), and for the Bgirls it was Narumi (Body Carnival) over Macca (360 Flava) in the 1-on-1 Bgirl final.

Prize Money Breakdown

  • 1-on-1 Open Prize Distribution: $45,650 Cash + Freestyle Session World Final Round Trip Flight + a trip to compete in the Undisputed in Marseille, France

o $15,000 for first place + round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals (November 7th & 8th; Los Angeles, CA) + a trip to compete in the Undisputed in Marseille, France; $7,500 for second place + round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals; $2,500 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th) + round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals; $1,000 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $500 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $200 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd); $100 for each top 100 loser (33rd-100th). Additionally $50 each ($150 total) was awarded to Vakho, Saewl, and Thesis.

  • 1-on-1 Bgirl Battle Prize Distribution: $7,000 Cash for the top 8 Bgirl qualifiers (selected from the 1-on-1 Open prelims)

o $3,500 for first place; $1,250 for second place; $625 for each semifinal loser; $250 for each quarterfinal loser.

  • 3-on-3 Open Crew Prize Distribution: $37,500 Cash + 3 Freestyle Session World Final Round Trip Flights

o $9,000 for first place + 3 Round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals (November 7th & 8th; San Diego, CA); $4,500 for second place; $3,000 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $1,200 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $750 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $450 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd).

Judges for the 1-on-1 Open, 3-on-3 Open and 1-on-1 Bgirl Battles:

1. Poe One: Style Elements

2. Ken Swift: 7 Gemz

3. Free: Circle of Fire

4. Focus: Flow Mo

5. Ghost: Lionz of Zion

6. Wicket: Renegade Rockers

7. Yan the Shrimp: All the Most

8. Ruen: Killafornia [alternate]

9. Nabil: Vagabonds [alternate]

10. Napalm: Lionz of Zion [prelim]

11. Charles: Soul Control [prelim]

12. Profo: Floor Gangz [prelim]

13. Renegade: Soul Mavericks [prelim]

14. Bebe: Ground Zero [prelim]

15. Jayrawk: Style Elements [prelim]

The DJs for the weekend were BlesOne (Don’t Talk to the Cops), Fleg (Lionz of Zion) and Foxx Boogie (Repstyles) with support from DJ Scream (South Front).

Monster Energy was in the house with free giveaways of Monster Energy beverages and alongside them were vendors from all over the US, providing gear from within the bboy scene.

If you want to relive a little of the action, check out the great media below from photographers and videographers that attended the event.

Photo Links:

Dance Mogul Magazine featured UDEF’s Pro Breaking Tour and the 2015 Silverback Open, dedicating an entire issue to the competitive breaking scene. See great photos in this 76-page issue from Little Shao, Kien Quan and KBev, as well as video links from Mason Rose, .stance, Yak Films and Strife TV. Free Online Link: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/993898?__r=443783

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Silverback Open Championships I

The Silverback Open Championships I took place on October 11th and 12th 2014 at the YSC Sports complex outside of Philadelphia as part of the 2014 Pro Breaking Tour’s Champions Series.  The event was organized by organized by Silverback Bboy Events and paid $58,400 in cash prize money, a $10,000 Breitling watch, plus trips for several winners to the Freestyle Session World Final’s in San Diego. A panel of seven judged the Open 1-on-1, the Open 3-on-3 and the B-girl 1-v-1.

Like all competitions, there can only be one first place winner and the Silverback Open Championships had it’s well deserving victors in every category.  In the 1-on-1 battle, Thesis (KHCA/Massive Monkees/Fresh Descendants) took first place over Niek (Rugged Solutions), in the 3-on-3 it was The Squadron (Nasty Ray, Moy & Prada-G) who took first over Lionz of Zion (Napalm, Domkey & Toyz), and for the Bgirls it was ABgirl (Domestic Apes) over Macca (360 Flava) in the final.

Prize Money Breakdown

·        Open 1-v-1 Prize Distribution: $25,000 Cash + $10,000 Breitling Luxury Watch + Freestyle Session World Final Round Trip Flight

o   $10,000 for first place + a $10,000 Breitling luxury watch + Round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals (November 8th & 9th; San Diego, CA); $5,000 for second place; $1,600 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $500 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $300 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $150 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd).

·        B-Girl 1-v-1 Battle Prize Distribution: $5,000 Cash for the top 8 B-Girl qualifiers (selected from the Open 1-v-1 prelims)

o   $2,500 for first place; $1,000 for second place; $500 for each semifinal loser; $125 for each quarterfinal loser.

·        Open 3-v-3 Crew Prize Distribution: $17,400 Cash + 3 Freestyle Session World Final Round Trip Flights

o   $4,500 for first place + 3 Round trip flight to Freestyle Session Word Finals (November 8th & 9th; San Diego, CA); $2,400 for second place; $1,650 for each semifinal loser (3rd-4th); $600 for each quarterfinal loser (5th-8th); $300 for each Round of 16 loser (9th-16th); $150 for each Round of 32 loser (17th-32nd).

·        Ultimate Circle Prize Distribution: $11,000 in cash was up for grabs in the Ultimate Circle.

o   To close the event, The Silverback Open hosted the Pro Am Ultimate Circle, established in the mid-late 90’s by none other than the legendary Speedy Legs, featuring ~80 of the top competitors from the weekend. The Judges for the Ultimate Circle were: Ghost, Leanski, Bebe, Viazeen, Float, Wicked, Ivan, Speedy Legs, Blizz & Ken Swift.  The top 11 participants were each awarded $1,000. The winners included Menno, Marlon, Issei, Tata, Kid Glyde, Bebo, Mijo, Master Mace, Wealthy, Jose C., and Hannibal. Judges included Ghost, Leanski, Bebe, Viazeen and Float, each choosing two winners.

·        Judges for the Open 1-on-1, Open 3-on-3 and B-girl 1-v-1 Battles:

1. Wicket: Renegade Rockers

2. Reveal: Rhythm Bugz/Rock Force Crew/ Killafornia

3. Easy Roc

4. Wicked: Phaze II

5. Tuff Kid: Basel City Attack

6. Ken Swift: 7 Gemz

7. Abstrak: Skill Methodz

The DJs for the weekend were BlesOne, Fleg (Lionz of Zion) and Foxx Boogie (Repstyles).  They came through hard for the Top 16 battles, playing all original music, setting the stage on fire with never before heard tracks. Because of this original soundtrack, the competition was able to stream live via YouTube to those around the world who could not be in attendance.  This was another courtesy of the Silverback Open event, which was free for all competitors to enter, free to the public to attend, and included giveaways for all competitors, including shirts and head spin hats.

The competition from the beginning was set to be a memorable one for all.  There were 108 crews signed up for the 3-on-3 battles, 312 competitors for the 1-on-1 battles and 27 bgirls who entered the 1-on-1 for a shot at the top 8 bgirl battle.  All of the brackets were ‘show and prove,’ meaning that regardless of whether one was a top level international competitor or a local dancer, every competitor had to put it all on the floor and show the judges they had what it takes to be picked for a Top 32 slot in the open 1-on-1 and 3-on-3, or a shot at the top 8 bgirl battle.

Monster Energy was in the house with the Monster Girls and a free slow-motion booth for everyone to enjoy, along with free giveaways of Monster Energy beverages.   Alongside them were vendors from all over the US, providing gear from within the bboy scene.

The competition on day two was fierce!  It has been a long time since competitors from all over the world have faced off in such a high stakes battle on United States soil.  It was epic to say the least.  One thing is for certain, this battle opened the eyes of a lot of young US dancers to see the level that they must attain to keep up with the world.  2015 will be a year that sees the USA scene in the lab getting ready for their next chance to show the world what they can do.

If you want to relive a little of the action, check out the great media below from photographers and videographers that attended the event.  The brackets and prize distribution will also be released soon on this page so keep an eye out and check back.

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