DAY 1 …AND THE BATTLES HAVE BEGUN!
Rumour had it that some freestylers would hold back on day one and keep their best tricks for the Final. If that rumour has any truth to it, we can expect an insane final as the standard has already been of the highest level. Throw in an amazing setting in central Cape Town at the foot of the towering Table Mountain and this makes for one of the most exciting events on this years sporting calendar.
Favourites are favourites for a reason and they didn’t disappoint on day one, showing and proving to other competitors why they are the biggest names in Street Style football in the world.
The various European Champions and freestylers who competed at the previous RBSS Final in Sao Paulo, including reigning RBSS Champion Sean from France, Palle from Sweden, Daniel from Holland, Nam the Man from Ireland all top their qualifying groups and look a sure bet for the last 16 knockout phase…but there were a few surprises and new faces to look out for on the day as well.
Luki from Poland and Andrew from the UK are first-time competitors in the World Finals and made a huge impression on their RBSS World Final debuts, leading their qualifying groups and scoring amongst the top scores in first day qualifiers, alongside Sean and Daniel.
Brizze from Denmark and Arthur from Brazil lead the remaining two groups going into Day Two of the qualifiers but will have their work cutout maintaining top spot in their respective groups. With two qualifiers from each group qualifying for the last 16 knockout phase, Day Two qualifiers will be make or break for the world’s top freestylers.
Other freestylers who looked good on Day One include Azun from Norway, MiranPirner from Croatia, Jose Alvalos from El Salvador and the very entertaining Rocky from Colombia who all run a close second to ‘Ballers’ leading their respective qualifying groups. Groups one, four, five and seven are still very evenly matched and the second qualifying spot is still very much up for grabs so expect freestylers to be over their Day One jitters and firing on all cylinders come the closing stages of qualifying on Day Two.
