Getting her big break

"But, after I achieved some results, she stopped saying anything," she smiled.

Having already won the youth world title in August, Royal will compete alongside other "B-girls" and "B-boys" at the senior world championships taking place Friday and Saturday in Fukuoka, Japan, the country which has long been a powerhouse in the sport.

"I want to win that gold medal for China and show the world that Chinese breaking is getting cooler and cooler," she said.

'Born for breaking'

As a youngster, "my mother signed me up for all kinds of extracurricular classes, such as playing musical instruments, then Chinese dance", Royal explained.

"I also participated in a local children's artistic show for the Chinese New Year. That's when coach Mike saw me."