MAM
Breaking new ground undisputed spins into India with Delhi qualifier
MUMBAI: If breaking is about making a statement without saying a word, India has just dropped a loud one. The globally respected Undisputed Breaking Championship is set to make its India debut with the Fujifilm instax Undisputed Breaking Championship India Qualifier, scheduled for January 31, 2026, in New Delhi. The event places India firmly on the official Undisputed circuit, with the Delhi stop acting as a qualifying gateway to the World Final in Tokyo on March 21, 2026.
Part of a championship series that has already toured major global cities, the India qualifier will see the country’s top breakers go head-to-head with international talent across Solo Women, Solo Men and Crew (5vs5) categories. Winners in each category will earn a direct invitation to Tokyo, marking a rare opportunity for Indian breakers to compete within breaking’s most structured and prestigious global framework.
The Delhi line-up blends local dominance with Olympic pedigree. Among the confirmed names are Bboy Flying Machine, a six-time Indian champion, Bgirl India, a three-time world champion and Paris 2024 Olympics athlete, BBoy Quake of Chinese Taipei, also a Paris Olympian, along with Japanese standouts Bboy Ryoga and Bgirl Yuina, and France’s BGirl Mia. More national and international participants are expected to be announced closer to the event, underscoring the qualifier’s competitive weight.
For the global breaking community, India’s inclusion reflects a shift that has been years in the making. As breaking continues its evolution from street culture to structured sport, India’s growing pool of dancers, crews and cypher communities is increasingly impossible to ignore. The Delhi qualifier is designed to showcase that depth, while adhering to Undisputed’s global judging standards and competitive format.
Speaking on the occasion, Fujifilm India managing director Koji Wada noted that India’s youth-driven creative ecosystem is emerging as a meaningful contributor to global street and breaking culture. He said the decision to bring Undisputed to India reflects both that momentum and the country’s growing importance as a strategic cultural market.
Fujifilm India associate director and head of electronic imaging, instax and optical devices business Arun Babu added that the India qualifier has been designed as an open and inclusive platform. With participation open to solo breakers and crews across experience levels, the focus is on grassroots access, structured competition and community-building, aligned with instax ’s philosophy of connection and self-expression.
Beyond the battles, the event is positioned as a full-spectrum celebration of breaking and hip-hop culture, bringing together music, movement and community in a public, accessible setting. The championship will be held at Worldmark 1 Aerocity, with free entry for spectators, making it one of the most accessible global qualifying events on the undisputed calendar.
Registrations for solo dancers and crews are currently open via and8.dance. For India’s breaking community, January 31 is more than a competition date. It is a chance to turn local reputation into global recognition, one power move at a time.
Brands
Kwality Wall’s reports standalone losses following strategic HUL demerger
Ice cream major faces Rs 64 crore Ebitda loss amid commodity inflation and muted Q3 sales
MUMBAI: Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (KWIL) has released its first set of financial results as a standalone entity, revealing a challenging start to its independent journey. Following its successful demerger from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) on 1st December 2025 and its subsequent listing on 16th February 2026, the company is navigating a transition period marked by structural changes and high input costs.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2025, the company reported revenue of Rs 222 crores. Despite the revenue base, the bottom line was impacted by several factors, resulting in an Ebitda loss of Rs 64.2 crores. When calculated on a Pre-IND AS 116 basis, the Ebitda loss stood at Rs 83.8 crores.
Organic Sales Growth (OSG) declined by 6.5 per cent year-on-year during the quarter. Volume growth, however, saw a marginal increase of 1.2 per cent. The company reported a gross margin of 41.5 per cent. Additionally, exceptional expenses amounting to Rs 94 crores were recorded, primarily linked to non-recurring costs during the transition phase.
Performance across portfolios and channels was mixed. Within the impulse portfolio, brands such as Magnum and Cornetto recorded mid-single digit volume growth, indicating steady demand in on-the-go consumption. However, the in-home portfolio, which includes take-home packs, experienced muted consumption. The company is planning a relaunch of this category with improved offerings ahead of the 2026 season.
Quick commerce (Q-Com) continued to emerge as a strong growth driver, delivering robust double-digit growth during the quarter. Meanwhile, the company also expanded its physical distribution network by increasing the number of company-owned cabinets across markets.
Margin pressure during the quarter was driven by a combination of one-off factors and broader cost inflation. Gross margins were impacted by around 600 basis points due to trade investments made for stock liquidation. Additionally, cocoa price inflation contributed to another 400 basis points of pressure on margins.
Deputy managing director Chitrank Goel attributed the muted performance partly to prolonged monsoons and transitional challenges linked to the GST framework. Operating expenses also increased as the company invested in establishing its standalone supply chain, operational systems and corporate infrastructure following the demerger.
Looking ahead, the management remains focused on a volume-driven growth strategy. To restore profitability, the company has initiated a cost productivity programme aimed at reducing non-consumer-facing costs. It is also working on building regional manufacturing networks to optimise logistics expenses and improve operational efficiency.
The commodity outlook for the near term remains mixed. Dairy prices are expected to remain firm due to tight supply conditions and rising fodder costs. Sugar prices may also move higher following increases in the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). While cocoa prices have moderated recently, currency depreciation has offset some of the potential cost relief for the company.
