Now in its fifth season, the D.League has 14 teams competing across all musical genres and dance styles in a head-to-head, round-robin format, with the top six teams advancing to the season-ending championship round in June. (Photo courtesy of D.League)

Japan's dance league strikes ambitious pose, targeting Gen Z, women fans

D.League organizers claim world first, boast high-profile athletes, big-name backers

DAN ORLOWITZ

February 22, 2025 06:00 JST

Updated on February 25, 2025 17:25 JST

TOKYO -- In a packed concert hall by Tokyo Bay, a capacity crowd of 4,500 went wild as three of Japan's proud Paris 2024 Olympians, including a gold medalist, were introduced on stage to a laser light show and thumping electronic music.

The trio weren't runners, boxers or swimmers. They were breakdancers, now national stars known by their professional names as Shigekix, Hiro10 and Ami, the Olympic "b-girl" champion.