Hamilton’s hip hop champ
Hamilton youngster Assryia Brady and her brother Reeve are buzzing after a successful trip to the hip hop world champs in Las Vegas.
The philosophy of a 13-year-old gold medallist from Hamilton is simple – dream big.
With that in mind Assryia Brady and her Auckland-based hip hop crew Bubblegum shuffled their way into first place of the junior division at the Hip Hop International World Championships, in Las Vegas in July.
It was the second year in a row that Assryia has performed at the world champs and this year she went with younger brother Reeve.
Last year Reeve, 12, who also dances, stayed behind when their family could afford to send only one sibling overseas to compete.
This time both Brady kids performed on the international stage.
“Even though we didn’t see each other, we were really proud to be in Las Vegas together,” said Assryia.
Smiling widely, she said winning as part of the Auckland-based hip hop crew Bubblegum was a massive reward for months of hard rehearsals.
“We believed in ourselves but it was a big shock,” she said.
“We came first at preliminaries and we knew if we went hundy as, we could do it.
“When we won I was every word that describes happy.
“It was the coolest moment of my life.”
Mum of the Brady kids Kirsten pointed out the significance of children experiencing other cultures at home and in other countries.
“Hip hop is a universal language that has brought kids from around the world together, all there for the same reason,” she said.
New Zealand took three of the four top awards at the championships.
Varsity team Sorority from Auckland also grabbed first place in their division, while adult crew ReQuest and junior crew Lil Saintz snapped up silver in their divisions.
The dancers trained with The Palace Dance Studio and rehearsed under 19-year-old choreographer and owner Parris Goebel.
Her father and studio manager, Brett Goebel, said the dancers were excited, relieved and overwhelmed after “working their butts off”.
“They were walking around the hotel with their medals on and smiling.”
Reeve and Assryia’s sacrifices have paid off and taught the duo to never give up hope.
“Dreams can come true, ours did.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWgh8isZiTk&feature=player_embedded#at=80
