Two young Chinese street dancers have taken the global street dance scene by storm with their innovative performance that fuses street dance with elements of traditional Chinese Kung Fu.
Competing in the Hip-Hop adult category at the Juste Debout 2025 World Finals in Paris on March 3, 10-year-old Song Haoming and 12-year-old Fu Junxi defeated two top international pairs to reach the semifinals -- achieving the best result ever for a Chinese team in the event's history.
"We were very nervous, excited, and thrilled. We immediately brought out the national flag because we wanted to showcase Chinese culture and strength to the world through the street dance stage," said Fu.
"I was really happy and excited. I want everyone around the globe to remember that we are from China and to recognize the strength of Chinese children," said Song.
Their incredible performance quickly earned them the affectionate nickname "China's top street dance kid bros" among netizens. "Kid bro" is an internet buzzword used to describe children who show talent beyond their years.
Song and Fu first teamed up at the China regional competition in Wuhan, Hubei Province, on February 15, 2025, where they outperformed top adult competitors to win the Hip-Hop category. Their victory earned them a spot as China's representatives at the world finals in Paris.
During their performance at the competition, the young pair captivated the audience by incorporating elements of traditional Chinese martial arts into their routine. Their choreography featured moves inspired by classic styles such as Drunken Fist and Tai Chi, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
The two boys choreographed the martial arts–inspired street dance moves entirely by themselves.
"I practiced martial arts with my mom when I was little, and my uncle is also a martial arts coach. At the airport, Fu and I brainstormed how to shape our performance. I suggested that we incorporate elements of Chinese culture, including martial arts, Tai Chi, and Wing Chun Kung-Fu, and he completely agreed," said Song.
Following their remarkable performance at the world finals, Juste Debout praised the duo on its official social media account, noting: "They came as the underdogs and left as the crowd's favorites! Song and Fu from China fought like warriors on the Juste Debout stage -- fearless, relentless, unstoppable."
Before departing for the competition, the two arrived in Wuhan for rehearsals that lasted less than a week. To prepare for the two-on-two portion of the competition, they choreographed multiple routines and agreed to choose which one to perform based on the music they would hear on the spot.
"When they went to Wuhan to choreograph their routine, there wasn't much time and the team was formed in a hurry. I cried after the competition. I said, 'I never imagined they'd end up representing China on a world-class stage,'" said Fu's mom.
Song began practicing dancing at the age of three. Whenever he had spare time, the young dancer would devote himself to practice, often repeating the same move dozens or even hundreds of times. According to his mom, it was common for his knees to be bruised from the intense training.
"I have a passion for dancing engraved in my heart. For example, when I hear music, my fingers might start to move. Even when I am in the shower and hear the sound of water droplets, I feel the music and dance to their rhythm. Winning the competition isn't important; what matters most is expressing myself through dance," said Song.
Fu started practicing dancing at the age of five and a half.
"I practice for three hours a day from Monday to Friday, and no less than six hours on weekends," said Fu.
"I hope that no matter what results he gets in the competition, as long as he stays committed to what he loves and people are more understanding, he can grow up healthier in a positive environment," said Fu's mom.
The two boys have now returned to school and resumed their normal lives.
However, the experience of the competition left a lasting impact on them. They've continued to innovate, incorporating elements of Chinese intangible cultural heritage into their street dance routines.
Chinese "kid bros" make history at int'l street-dance competition
