August 10, (THEWILL) – Canada’s Philip Kim, known as B-Boy Phil Wizard, won the first Olympic men’s breaking gold medal in Paris on Saturday.
The 27-year-old former world champion defeated France’s Danis Civil or B-Boy Dany Dann in the final held at the Place de la Concorde. Victor Montalvo from the United States, competing as B-Boy Victor, took the bronze medal.
Breaking, also called breakdancing, made its Olympic debut in Paris 2024. The competition involved 16 dancers or B-Boys, competing in head-to-head battles. Starting with a pool stage, the event progressed to a knock-out round. Judges evaluated the performers based on several categories, with originality and diversity of movement being key factors.
The circular stage featured DJs playing hip-hop classics while MCs encouraged the crowd. Breaking, which originated in New York’s Bronx during the 1970s, emphasises self-expression and creativity. B-Boy Victor stressed the importance of recognising breaking as a dance form, not just about big moves.
Despite the French crowd initially supporting their local competitor, Phil Wizard’s routine earned him a 3-0 victory from the judges. The Canadian explained that the judges looked for “something new every round” rather than just explosive or dynamic movements.
In the women’s competition held on Friday, Japan’s B-Girl Ami claimed the gold medal, with Lithuania’s B-Girl Nicka taking silver.
Breaking’s future in the Olympics remains uncertain, as it has not been included in the programme for Los Angeles 2028. However, this inaugural Olympic breaking event allowed athletes to display their skills and artistry on a global stage, bringing this urban dance form to new audiences worldwide.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
