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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.
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Shoppers Stop elevates Biju Kassim as GSS Beauty CEO
Move comes as GSS Beauty scales global brand partnerships in India.
MUMBAI: From store shelves to global shelves, the beauty game is getting a sharper makeover. Shoppers Stop has elevated Biju Kassim as managing director and chief executive officer of Global SS Beauty Brands Limited (GSSBB), signalling a stronger push into the premium beauty segment. The move builds on Kassim’s role in setting up GSSBB, a wholly owned subsidiary that has quickly positioned itself as a fast-growing distribution platform for global beauty brands in India. The unit has been central to Shoppers Stop’s ambition of expanding its footprint in the high-margin beauty and luxury categories.
Chairman Nirvik Singh noted that Kassim’s experience across the beauty ecosystem and his understanding of premium and luxury consumers would help steer the next phase of growth. The focus, he indicated, will be on sharpening the company’s beauty portfolio and scaling partnerships with international brands.
Kassim, for his part, steps into the role at a time when India’s premium beauty market is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by rising consumer aspirations and increased access to global labels. He highlighted that GSSBB will remain a key strategic pillar, with an emphasis on expanding brand partnerships, enhancing consumer experiences and driving growth across markets.
As global beauty brands continue to eye India as a high-growth destination, Shoppers Stop’s bet is clear: owning not just the shelf, but the entire beauty ecosystem behind it.
