The Canadian B-Boy Phil Wizard has won the first Olympic gold medal in men’s breaking at the Paris Games. Phil Wizard, whose real name is Philip Kim, defeated France’s B-Boy Dany Dann in the final, held at the picturesque Place de la Concorde. The American B-Boy Victor took home the bronze medal.
Breaking, commonly known as breakdancing, made its Olympic debut and is unlikely to be included in the program again at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Phil Wizard expressed hope that this debut will change the perception of the sport, which he believes is “underappreciated.”
“I hope today was a perfect example of how amazing breaking is – that was truly my only goal here,” said the 27-year-old, who is a former world champion. “I am so grateful and so happy to come out with the victory, but more than anything, I just wanted to show the world what breaking is.”
The competition showcased the spectacular skills of the participants, as 16 B-Boys competed against each other in a series of battles, starting with a pool phase followed by knockout rounds. In the final, marked by nail-biting excitement, Phil Wizard captivated the audience with his impressive performance, securing a 3-0 victory from the judges.
“I was stressed beyond the usual,” Phil Wizard said. “It has been an emotional rollercoaster. I cried because I was so scared of doing this.” He added that there has been significant pressure and high expectations, but he is relieved that he could meet them.
Dany Dann, a former European champion, stated that he felt he had “represented breaking” to the world. “I am happy; I really didn’t think I would win this medal,” he said, revealing that he had dyed his hair blue because it was his “lucky color.”
While the competition displayed spectacular moves, Phil Wizard pointed out that the judging panel was looking for “something new in each round.” “You might think that the most explosive, wild, and dynamic moves scored the most points,” he said. “But in breaking, there are many different categories, and the most important thing is originality and the diversity of movement.”
The B-Boys performed on a circular stage, accompanied by DJs spinning hip-hop classics, and MCs energizing the audience. Breaking originated from block parties held in the Bronx, New York, during the 1970s.
B-Boy Victor, also known as Victor Montalvo, stated that the competition represented “the true essence of hip hop and breaking culture.” “We just want to make sure to show everyone that it is first and foremost a dance,” Victor, who defeated Japan’s Shigekix for the bronze medal, added. “It’s about self-expression; it’s about originality. It’s not just about big moves.”