NEWS

One of the most competitive line up of dancers in recent memory featuring Leo (Dilated Nu), Johnny K (Do or Die and Toilet Funk 9), Solo (Justice Crew), Chino (Buoyan), Jfunk of (GStyle), Mel (Caramell Dance Studio), and former 360 champion Oli (Zealous Crew), battled it out to be this year's 360 solo champion. But when the dust settled, it was Chux who came out the winner.

Chux won his first solo freestyle competition in 2007, however his performance this year against a very stacked competition is without a doubt his toughest contest which brought the best of him. Having to battle a very game Jet at the prelim, it sent a message to the rest of the dancers that this year the outcome will be different.

The first round the crowd witnessed Chux to be called out by popping supreme, Jfunk, who previously dispatched 3 other poppers at the prelims. The round was exciting and entertaining. It was very rare for the audience to witness two underground dancers at a very high skill level, representing different styles  battling it out, reminiscent of a UFC match. After a very entertaining round with 2 sets  delivered from each freestyler, the majority decision of the judges including international greats such as Bboy Blonde, ShoTyme and Darrio, went to Chux.

The semi finals was a match up against heavy favourite Solo, last year's finalist, and the only dancer to not get called out by any dancer at the prelims. Once again Solo, who defeated Johnny K at the previous round, delivered a very solid and entertaining set. However Chux's locking and originality proved too much for the charismatic dancer, as he defeats Solo with a unanimous victory.

As the event went by with much hype, excitement and anticipation, the audience witnessed another dancer who was tearing up the competition. Being the lone female competitor to make it out of the prelim, Mel made a return to freestyle competition. Mel brought the real hip hop style with grooves and feel to her sets, defeating dancers such as NYC from France at the prelim, her former teacher Leo from Dilated Nu, and previous 360 solo champion Oli. The finals set up an epic freestyle dance battle between Mel and Chux.

Previously the crew battles were the main event of 360, however this year the finals of the solo battles was the new main attraction of the event. The finals had the dancers delivering 3 grueling sets each. And each dancer represented their own style respectfully; Mel with her old school, New York hip hop groove style up against the very unique and in your face style of Chux. The battle could have gone either way, with each set being better than the last. Both dancers respected each other's style and skill, and both showed much passion and love for dance. As a result it inspired many of the audience and their fellow dancers. However in the end of the very exciting battle, all three judges gave the victory and crowned  Chux as the new 360 Solo champion of Australia.

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