The time has come for seasoned and aspiring freestylers to prove their status as the third instalment of the Jamaican leg of the Red Bull Street Style competition kicks off at the St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) today.

The action is scheduled to begin at midday, following the registration process which commences at 8:00 am.

The islandwide qualifiers will provide an opportunity for freestylers of all ages to showcase their skills in a bid to represent Jamaica in the Red Bull Street Style finals later this year.

Today’s event is expected to include in excess of 100 participants from Clarendon, Mandeville, and Westmoreland in what should be an enthralling day of skilful competition. Each battle will see two players facing off for three minutes with the winner advancing and the loser taking the dreaded trip back home.

The six-week competition will continue its tour in Ocho Rios on July 2 and then Kingston a week later on July 9. The final leg of the qualifiers will culminate in the western end of the island in Montego Bay on July 16.

The grand finale is scheduled for August 5 at a venue to be announced. The most talented individual will walk away with the prestigious title of Jamaica’s Red Bull Street Style champion and the opportunity to represent the island at the World Championship showdown to be staged in London, England, in September.

The international segment of the high-octane competition will see freestylers from approximately 50 countries converging at one location to battle for the symbol of freestyle supremacy.

— Sherdon Cowan