"There is talent, there is a lot of potential. There are a lot of young dancers in China," he said, adding that financial support from the government was helping the sport grow.

Having breaking in the Olympics has encouraged the surge of interest in China, according to coach Mike.

"Once a discipline is officially recognized as an Olympic sport in China, it's developed very intensively," he said.

Authorities see an opportunity to win international honors, while parents, reassured by break dancing's new respectability, are more willing to let their children practice it.