Stillwater native Elana Rapisarda recently won the Martial Arts Breaking World Championships in Orlando, Fla. (Courtesy photo)
ALBANY, N.Y. — Elana Rapisarda, a 22-year-old from Stillwater, recently returned from the U.S. Open Martial Arts World Championships in Orlando, Fla. The U.S. Open is the only martial arts event featured on ESPN and other livestreaming networks and takes place annually on the grounds of a Disney Resort. The tournament features more than 5,000 athletes from a variety of martial arts styles from around the world and features many competitive events.
Rapisarda has won her second world title in women's creative open breaking, the first of which came in 2022.
In the event, competitors must use a variety of martial arts techniques to destroy everything from wooden planks to concrete bricks and even a Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Rapisarda delivered a near-flawless routine, wowing the renowned judges not only with his physical ability, but also his energy, presence and showmanship.
Rapisarda is considered a two-time ISKA (International Sport Karate Association) World Champion, the highest level of competitive breaking worldwide.
Additionally, the event awards the prestigious title of “Ultimate Breaker” to the top performing competitor in each of the four breakdance categories. While the Creative Open event has a separate women's division, the other three events, Power Wood Breakdance and Power Concrete Breakdance, do not have separate women's divisions.
Rapisarda was the first woman to compete against men, compete in all three power events, and compete for the Ultimate Breaker title. Although she was unable to win the title, she made history as the first woman to compete for the title and placed well in the overall standings.
After her victory in 2022, Rapisarda will be invited to attempt the world record on stage in 2023, broadcast live on the sports network, and set a new ISKA world record – the first ISKA woman to do so.
Rapisarda currently balances her active military career with her competitive martial arts career. She is a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps serving as a Logistics Officer and is currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Rapisarda trains with world champion and world record holder, Adam Grogin, at Pilson Martial Arts in Albany, New York.
Grogin said this second win was more impressive than the first because Rapisarda is away from his alma mater in the military and he had to train far away from him using techniques such as virtual training sessions and video calls. Additionally, competing in additional power events to win the Ultimate Breaker title made this win even more difficult and impressive because Rapisarda had to further stress and condition his body to withstand the stress of additional power breaking strikes against large blocks of concrete and wood.
