The 5th World Dance Games, held from Aug 6 to 9 in Zhengzhou, Henan province, celebrates street dance in all its forms. Zhang Yi is one of the 11 champions. The event attracted 6,000 dancers from across the world.[Photo by Wang Wei/China Daily]

This year's competition attracted a record high of 55 dancers from 29 countries, says Xia, giving Chinese dancers the opportunity to learn from and interact with international practitioners.

Luce Franck, a 38-year-old dancer from France, won the popping group championship. Franck has taken part in competitions since 2003 and has won more than 230 dance contests worldwide.

"What attracts me about popping is the dance itself and the music. My biggest challenge is to be able to freestyle and keep it fresh," says Franck, who was born in Guadeloupe, France, and started dancing in 2001.

Franck first came to China in 2012 to take part in the KOD (keep on dancing) Street Dance World Cup in Beijing. He won. He has since met many Chinese dancers.

"The most exciting moments in my career have been the good times spent with my friends when we meet in a dance event. Those moments are priceless to me," he says.

"Dance changed my life for good. As a dancer, I want to excel－to have my own flavor and to leave something for the next generation."

Speaking at the opening ceremony of this year's games, Feng Shuangbai, president of the Chinese Dancers Association, said that street dancing, as seen in the past decade, is no longer just for the few. "It's a culture embraced by young people. The performances of street dance on television shows and in movies have helped the dance form spread quickly in China."