From Mzansi streets to Olympic heights: Courtnaé Paul is ready for her pre-Olympics debut

South African B-girl Courtnaé Paul is well on her way to securing a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics, where break-dance is set to make its debut.

Break-dancing reached the streets of Mzansi just over 20 years ago.

It holds a rich history in the Mother City, Cape Town, and Johannesburg in recent years, as well as Durban where B-girl Paul originates from.

It is in these streets that her talent was nurtured and is now celebrated on international stages.

Paul is now determined to secure a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics representing South Africa, as well as female break-dancers globally.

She is competing in one of the last few events left before the sports' much-awaited Olympic Games debut.

Paul has been training and preparing mentally and physically for the qualifiers. She has even hired a coach from the UK to help with her training.

With break-dancing making its debut, the 32 year-old explains that it feels she is creating a manual on how to prepare as she goes about the journey.

“Americans, Europeans and Asia have been competing at such a high level for so many years, this is a step up for them and for us, we go from competing two or three times a year, to every second month you compete.”

Countries such as China are advanced in break-dancing and have government support through facilities and the sport has been introduced from young ages, creating exposure to the sport.

Paul began dabbling in sports about 14 years ago, starting with gymnastics, kickboxing and soccer until she randomly started dancing with the introduction of movies such as ‘Step Up’, ‘Honey’ and Missy Elliot’s music videos.