The global street dance world has lost one of its brightest young talents. Japanese dancer Yamada Ria, who captured international attention as the standout winner of Mnet’s competition programme Street Dance Girls Fighter Season 2, died on 18 September 2026. She was sixteen years old.
Her family shared the news through her official social media account on 24 September.
“With deep sorrow, we share that Ria passed away on September 18, 2026,” the family wrote in their public statement. “During her battle with illness for over a year, Ria endured each day with remarkable strength.”
They expressed gratitude to her supporters: “We sincerely thank everyone who supported Ria and sent her love and encouragement. Ria truly loved dancing. She cherished the friendships formed through dance, the journey shared with those around her, and the precious connections with everyone who supported her.”
The family closed their message with a personal reflection: “We hope Ria’s dance and smile remain forever in your hearts.”
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A Child Prodigy on the Global Stage
Born in 2009, Ria started formal dance training when she was six years old. Her discipline and precision earned her professional agency representation by the age of thirteen.
Her public breakthrough arrived in late 2023 on the South Korean network Mnet. Entering Street Dance Girls Fighter 2 as an individual competitor, her audition impressed international dance crew Jam Republic, led by choreographer Kirsten Dodgen.
Selected to front the squad, Ria led the team through demanding choreography battles, eventually securing the championship trophy. Following the broadcast, she toured as part of the youth unit Baby Jam and continued performing as a soloist across East Asia.
Read more: Thai Teenager Nene Royal Becomes First Thai to Win ‘America’s Got Talent’, Takes Home US$1 Million
Private Medical Treatment
Her career paused abruptly in 2025 when medical tests revealed an autoimmune disorder, alongside complications that required intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Ria stepped back from public stages in July 2025 to undergo hospital care.
News of her passing prompted tributes from dancers and mentors across the international hip-hop and street dance circuits.
Crew Jam Republic posted an emotional farewell on social media: “To our beloved Ria. Thank you for always showing your best self whenever you stepped on stage. You worked incredibly hard, always gave your all, and never complained. Your strength, passion, and beautiful spirit have influenced many of us, and those memories will remain with us forever.”
Jam Republic leader Kirsten shared the memorial notice online, while teammate Park Eun-woo offered a remembrance of their time in rehearsal rooms.
“Ria, my teammate and family member, has become a star in the sky,” Park wrote. “Please remember Ria, who loved dancing more than anyone else, for a long time.”
Fellow competitor Miyaabi also mourned her friend: “It is so sad that we can no longer meet. It is truly hard to express in words. Rest peacefully.”
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