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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Japanese seniors pop and lock to breakdancing beats in latest sport tailored to ageing population

Members of Ara Style Senior breakdancing club at a recent class in Tokyo, Japan.
Members of Ara Style Senior breakdancing club at a recent class in Tokyo, Japan. Photograph: Justin McCurry/The Guardian

Head spins and monkey flips are noticeable by their absence. But in their place there is a lot of laughter and a thumping beat, along with the occasional grimace and yelp of frustration.

The 10 people – wearing bright orange and green T-shirts that mark them out as members of Ara Style Senior – do not belong to the demographic you would normally associate with breakdancing. Their average age hovers just below 70, and the oldest is 74.

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