Christian Marino, alias B-Boy GATO, started to dance when he was 13 years old. Today, at the age of 20, he shows a unique style that has established him as one of the top dancers in the national scene with a huge potential for triumph in the world. But, as he affirms, what makes a B-Boy professional is the experience and he still has a lot to learn. He has been part of many national and international competitions and even a judge in the Chilean championship “B-Boys o Muertos.” He never thought that one of the videos that he had published in youtube.com would take him to compete against the best Latin American B-Boys in the regional qualifier for the Red Bull BC One.

B-Boy GATO felt attracted to breaking since the first time he saw the complicated moves. “I was with some friends in a square in my neighbourhood in San Juan de Lurigancho, when I saw a group of guys perform incredible moves, such as jumps, turns and figures, to the rhythm of the music. I loved the culture instantly,” he says. Without doubt, he asked this guys to teach him some moves, and then he started to practice with his brother Alan, who is also a B-Boy, and they joined the crew Kamikaze Squad. Despite the many falls and fractures he suffered trying to do new stuff, he hasn’t stopped dancing, not even with a brace on his hand.

He got his nickname when he was a kid, because his facial expression is like a cat’s (“GATO” is Spanish for cat), and his acrobatic movements are very similar to how cats move. Also his attitude, shy among people, but audacious and agile in the competition field, is like this animal’s style, which is discreet and quiet but precise. He has a lot of respect and appreciation for his crew, Kamikaze Squad, where he has been a member since the beginning of his career and with who he has won several battles. They are like a family, which allows them to grow in every aspect of their life. Right now the crew and his family are the main support for GATO in this new challenge in which he will participate on June 16th in Brazil.

GATO can connect with the principles and the fundamental ideas of the Hip Hop culture, and even though he doesn’t practice any of the other disciplines of the culture, he says that its four sides: the graffiti, DJing, MCing, and the breaking are complementary for a person that likes to learn. He would love to make a living from dancing, but he knows it’s difficult, especially in a country where there is very little support for this discipline. That’s why he would like to finish his studies and have a career, to try at some point, to dedicate 100% to B-Boying and to the future of this culture. “I would love to open a school to teach breaking,” he comments.

Right now B-Boy GATO is practicing intensively. After he found out that he was part of this qualifier, he has been dancing three hours every day to learn new moves and improve his favourites: tricks and the power moves. But for him this isn’t just about winning, he wants to meet new people from other countries and learn from their ideas to share them with his crew.

This June 16, GATO will have the chance to represent Peru in the Brazilian qualifier and, maybe, be part of the world battle at the Red Bull BC One.

Titles

• 2007, Jury, “B-Boys o Muertos”, Chile
• 2007, 1st place, Breaking contest organized by Peruvian TV program “¡Qué Buena Onda!” (Ok TV)
• 2005, 1st place, Breaking contest organized by Peruvian TV program “Camino a la Fama” (ATV)
• 2003, 1st place, Zudaca, Chile (Group Competence)
• 1st place, Real Battle of the Year (3 years in a row), Peru
• 1st place, El Debate B-Boy – (2 years in a row), Peru