As a passionate follower of breaking and a fan of its inspiring stories, I can’t help but be awestruck by these two women’s journeys in the world of dance.
Warning: The newest sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics may turn your world on its head.
At last, breaking is making its entrance at the Summer Games. And it’s Sunny Choi, Logan Edra, Jeffrey Louis, and Victor Montalvo who have earned the spots as Team USA’s B-girls and B-boys to shine on a global level.
In an interview with TopMob News, Choi, a former gymnast turned breaking dancer, expressed her initial doubts about the Olympics due to her perception of breaking as a raw and gritty street culture. She explained, “Breaking had always been this unrefined, edgy dance style for me. The Olympics, on the other hand, were synonymous with refinement and elegance. Breaking’s unique energy just didn’t seem to fit in with the polished image of the Olympics.”
When the successful reception of breaking at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires motivated the International Olympic Committee, they decided to include it as a new sport in Paris’ summer games (even though it will not feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, making this year’s competition especially significant for participants).
At La Concorde Urban Park on August 9th, the women’s breaking competition will take place. The men’s turn is on August 10th. A total of nine judges will assess the breakers in six different categories: Creativity and Performativity (each accounting for 60% of the score), as well as Personality, Technique, Variety, and Musicality.
In the round robin qualifiers, sixteen women and sixteen men participate, each in their own group. The competitors with the highest scores progress to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals, as well as the subsequent medal rounds, will feature thrilling, best-of-three, one-minute long face-offs.
At the upcoming event, MC Max Oliveira will skillfully oversee the proceedings. This is similar to a rap battle, but instead of spoken words, breakdancers take turns performing their moves. The windmill, six-step, and freezes are just some of the impressive dance steps they may use in response. It’s all improvisational, meaning the DJ can randomly select the music for each round, keeping the dancers on their toes.
Victor expressed his enthusiasm to the Associated Press about representing his country, but what truly thrills him is the opportunity to showcase his dance and hip-hop art form at the Olympics. He’s looking forward to introducing something fresh and bringing an upbeat atmosphere filled with peace, love, unity, and enjoyment.
Team USA’s members are all potential medalists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but they face tough rivals in their pursuit of gold. Here’s a look at some of the standout U.S. breaking team members and the formidable international competitors they will encounter:
B-Girl Name: Sunny
Born: Nov. 10, 1988
A woman who grew up as the child of South Korean immigrants completed her education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Prior to leaving her position in 2023, she served as the head of global creative operations for Estée Lauder’s skincare division. Now, she is fully devoted to pursuing a full-time career.
The 5-foot-1 athlete, who earned a spot in Paris by triumphing at the 2023 Pan American Games, shared with TopMob News her newfound determination: “For far too long, I’ve been adhering to how others wanted me to do things. Now, I’m seizing the opportunity to prioritize myself and pursue what brings me joy.”
B-Boy Name: Victor
Birthday: May 1, 1994
In 2023, the current WDSF World Breaking champion, Montalbo’s father and uncle, Victor and Hector Bermudez, who are originally from Mexico, were trailblazers as twin B-boys in the breaking dance scene.
“Participating in the Olympics will boost the popularity of our sport, Montalvo told the Associated Press. A new wave of youngsters will be inspired to join, he added. All you need is a dance floor and your own body for self-expression.”
B-Boy Name: Jeffro
Born: Dec. 20, 1994
A person born in Texas, whose parents are immigrants from Haiti, earned a kinesiology and sports management degree from the University of Houston. However, instead of pursuing a career as a physical therapist, they chose to devote themselves fully to competition.
He told NBC Olympics, “Music is filling the air,” adding to describe the exciting atmosphere. “The crowd is moving to the rhythm. Anyone can join in, simply enjoying the music from the sidelines and dancing along. Making noise is part of it all. For us dancers, the energy of the crowd is essential.”
And, he added, “If we get it right [in Paris], we can create something unstoppable.”
B-Girl Name: Logistx
Born: May 8, 2003
The youngest dancer on the US breaking team has been perfecting her moves since she was 7 years old, growing up in Chula Vista, California. As she shared with NBC Olympics, “It’s been my means of expression for a significant time. I consider myself an effective representative, despite being young.”
Edra secured her ticket to Paris for the Olympics by competing in the June Olympic Qualifier Series. In an interview with Reuters, she shared that her intense training regime, which includes two sessions daily, helps her stay competitive and focused on giving her best performance. However, she added, “As artists and athletes, it’s somewhat subjective. Ultimately, whoever performs exceptionally well on the day will emerge as the winner.”
B-Girl Name: Ayumi
Born: June 22, 1983
As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: When I spoke with the experienced dancer Fukushima, who took home the 2021 World Championship title at the age of 38, she modestly shared with me through Number Web (translated from Japanese by World Insight), that she learned to swim as early as the age of three and enjoyed spending time outdoors as a child. However, I was surprised to hear that she wasn’t particularly skilled in sports and has a relatively low level of physical ability.
That all changed when she was 21 and her sister introduced her to breaking in Kyoto.
She expressed that in her past experiences, particularly during her early days marked by a defeat against a schoolmate, she had never provided support to her body using her hands. At that time, she lacked the necessary strength completely and couldn’t perform tasks others could effortlessly do. Yet, her inability to do it brought enjoyment, prompting her to attempt again the following day.
B-Girl Name: Nicka
Born: June 8, 2007
I’m proud to share the story of a remarkable teenage girl from Vilnius who discovered her passion for breaking at just five years old, right in her living room. Fast forward to 2023, and she has made history by becoming the reigning world champion in this dynamic dance style. In an epic showdown last September, she outshone B-girl Ayumi to claim the title.
Heading into Paris, she was balancing her last year of school with training six hours a day.
“Breaking consumes my existence as every thought and experience is intertwined with it,” Banevic shared with Olympics.com. “My friends and passions stem from this dance form. I’ve given up so much for breaking, hence, I refer to it as my life. Even during recovery, I engage in activities related to breaking such as watching battles and studying techniques to enhance my athletic skills.”
She also collaborates with a sports psychologist to help her gain self-control. As she explained, “It’s crucial to master your emotions.” They engage in sessions to conquer overthinking and anxiety. The secret lies in staying focused on the present situation. It may sound simple, but we are actively working on it.
B-Boy Name: Dany Dann
Born: May 3, 1988
In French Guiana, Civil was born and at the age of 14, discovered a passion for breaking. In the year 2008, he and his closest friend relocated to France with the intention of participating in various competitions.
I, Civil, am blessed with two wonderful sons and a loving wife, Marion, who supports me in every way. While I once dedicated my time as a nurse at a renowned Paris hospital, my current passion lies in pursuing my dream of competing in the 2024 Olympics. Leaving my previous job was not an easy decision, but with unwavering determination and Marion’s encouragement, I am now fully committed to this exciting new chapter in our lives.
As a lifestyle expert, I can relate when an individual shares that they now have the luxury of dedicating more time to their craft, thanks to the additional resources provided by France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance. This newfound freedom allows me to focus solely on perfecting my skills, as financial concerns are no longer a distraction. Breaking, my passion, has officially become my profession.
Meanwhile, his sons opt for football over other activities. Yet, he aspires to serve as a role model for them, instilling the values of focus and diligence instead.
B-Boy Name: Phil Wizard
Born: Jan. 25, 1997
In Toronto, the member of the Wizards dance group was commonly referred to as Phil Wizard by everyone. He eventually decided to embrace this nickname.
The 2023 Pan Am Games champion, who once faced apprehension from his parents about his aspirations, looks forward to the Paris Olympics boosting the confidence of families supporting emerging athletes in the field of breaking.
He expressed his desire to CBC Sports that children be thrilled by witnessing athletes breaking records at the Olympics, and that their parents share in this excitement and provide support.
Kim is right at home and expressed, “Growing up with anime and superhero films was a significant part of my life. It’s as if I’m witnessing Superman clash with Batman. Both are powerful, but Superman has superpowers while Batman doesn’t rely on them. However, Batman can still win due to his knowledge of Superman’s vulnerabilities. Sometimes, overcoming challenges can resemble this scenario.”
B-Boy Name: Amir
Born: Oct. 10, 1997
Zakirov calls the day he started breaking—Oct. 8, 2009—his second birthday.
“During my childhood, I used to smoke and drink alcohol,” he shared with Olympics.com, “growing up in a harmful and negative environment.”
Until discovering a flyer about breaking classes one day, he had learned all his dance moves independently. Eager to keep this fortunate find concealed, he took the poster home instead of letting anyone else see it. To afford the lessons, he gave up eating lunch at school.
Regardless of how challenging any contest may be, Zakirov views himself as his own greatest adversary. As he put it, “I constantly compete with myself.” In his perspective, the key is to express what he intends, even if he stumbles or dislikes his performance. To him, such instances mean that he has fallen short.
B-Girl Name: India
Born: May 19, 2006
As a passionate teenager from The Hague, I discovered hip-hop dance at a young age but soon grew tired of it, finding it somewhat uninteresting. However, my enthusiasm for dancing led me to breaking when I was just 7 years old – an age that was under the minimum requirement to join a class. Determined and eager, I persisted in pursuing this newfound passion. Fortunately, the instructors recognized my dedication and granted me permission to join despite my young age.
Now, like any professional athlete, she approaches her sport like a science.
She shared with NL Platform in 2023 that she dances four to five days a week, ensuring there’s time for rest if needed when her body feels fatigued. For significant events like battles or competitions, she adjusts her training accordingly. Otherwise, she prioritizes exploring new moves and maintaining fluidity in her dance.
She’s fond of the fact that she can express herself uniquely in this setting. As she pointed out, her musical preferences span beyond just traditional break music. Her taste ranges from Adele to Afrobeats and Dutch hip-hop.
B-Girl Name: 671
Born: October 19, 2005
Liu started breaking at 10 and it changed everything.
She shared with RedBull.com that prior to forming connections with people, her introverted nature prevented effective communication and left her feeling timid. However, as she overcame these challenges, her personal growth blossomed. This experience granted her increased self-assurance, a clearer sense of purpose, and the opportunity to forge new friendships.
Liu hadn’t participated in international competitions prior to 2022. However, her debut left a mark as she secured first place at breaking events in Slovakia and Portugal that year. Later, she claimed the silver medal at the WDSF World Breaking Championships held in South Korea.
B-Girl Name: Raygun
Born: Sept. 2, 1987
I’m an avid follower of breaking, the dynamic and expressive dance style, and I’m fortunate enough to be a lecturer in media and creative industries at Sydney’s Macquarie University during the day. Yet, my true passion lies beyond the classroom walls. Whenever I have spare hours, I transform into an enthusiastic breaker, fueled by my unyielding love for this art form. However, my journey into breaking didn’t begin until my twenties. It was then that I crossed paths with the man who would later become both my husband and coach—the remarkable Samuel Free.
In an interview with AP after securing a spot in the 2024 Olympics, Gunn admitted to facing initial difficulties due to the considerable upper body strength required. Back then, there weren’t many girls attempting this feat.
The break from dancing proved beneficial for both her body and mind. In 2017, Gunn successfully completed her PhD thesis on the connection between gender and breaking culture in Sydney.
At the age of thirty-something, she expressed to Al Jazeera that she now devotes more time to preparing her body for workouts, allows herself ample time to recuperate, and takes better care of herself in general.
“According to Gunn, breaking holds a profoundly beneficial influence over individuals. It encourages fitness, offers a creative avenue for self-expression, and fosters a sense of belonging within a vibrant community. The Olympics serve as an inspiring podium to instill the passion for breaking in future generations.”
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2024-07-22 16:19