Chinese B-Boy Qi Xiangyu is looking to claim a historic gold medal in breaking when the sport makes its debut at the Paris Olympics, after coming second in the recent Qualifying Series event in Shanghai.

Qi's achievement marked a new high-water mark for China on the international stage, while also elevating expectations for his performance in Paris, where the sport will be officially showcased on the Olympic stage for the first time ever.

His runner-up finish at home in Shanghai followed a fourth-place result at the World Championships last September, as well as a disappointing bronze medal the following month at the Hangzhou Asian Games, which put his dreams of advancing to Paris in jeopardy.

The result in east China's Zhejiang Province left the Olympic Qualifier Series as his last chance to clinch a place in the French capital, and he met the challenge with a strong performance that placed him in the second spot on the podium, much to the delight of the home fans.

And with their expectations firmly on his shoulders, Qi is determined to go one step further at the Paris Games.

"In Paris, I will give my utmost effort, and I hope that when I am most tired, I can grit my teeth, and charge forward," said Qi.

"When I step onto the stage, I will be full of energy, because I represent my entire nation. I carry the dreams of Chinese breakdancers who could not make it to Paris, and that gives me an even stronger will to win," he concluded.