Philip Kim aka B-Boy Phil Wizard, who will compete in the Olympics’ breakdancing competition, said he and his fellow breakers are “making history” as their sport makes a debut on the world’s greatest stage.

Paris

The 2024 Summer Olympics are underway in Paris, with competition lasting until mid-August.

Paris Olympics

Philip Kim, known as B-Boy Phil Wizard, is ready to make history as he competes in the Olympics’ debut breakdancing event, representing Canada. Kim started breaking at the age of 12 after being inspired by street performers in Vancouver. At 27, he has achieved a place on the world stage, influenced by his crew and top breakers like Hong Ten and Victor, who are also his competitors.

Breakdancing, or breaking, has roots in 1970s hip-hop culture in the Bronx. It combines acrobatic moves and stylish footwork, often performed to the rhythm of a DJ and MC during battles. Phil Wizard has already won several championships, including events organized by Red Bull and the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

For Kim, participating in the Olympics is significant because it provides a larger platform for the sport. He believes that winning an Olympic medal would bring more recognition to breaking compared to other prestigious events within the breakdancing community. Kim has been working with a trainer since 2017 to meet the physical demands of the sport, which combines artistic creativity and athletic training.

The breaking competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics will feature 16 b-boys and 16 b-girls competing in one-on-one battles over three days. The event will be held at the Place de la Concorde, alongside other urban sports like BMX freestyle and skateboarding. This may be the only Olympics to include breaking, as the sport will not be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.



B-boy ready to 'make history' at Olympics breakdancing debut

Philip Kim, a.k.a. B-Boy Feel Wizard, is set to make history this week. He and his crew are set to compete in the Olympics' first ever breakdancing event representing Canada. Kim began breaking when he was 12, after seeing street performers in downtown Vancouver. Now 27, he says he's reached the world stage, not only by learning from his crew, but also watching YouTube videos of moves from top breakers like Hong Ten and Victor, who are also his competitors at this year's Games. Going into something like the Olympics for the very first time, we are now the faces of breaking for a bigger audience and a bigger platform. And so I do take that responsibility. I don't take it lightly. I try my best to showcase breaking in the best light that we can, and I think the ambassadors that we have on this stage, on this platform right now, are doing a great job. And yeah, I'm happy to be a part of this. We're making history as we go. We're literally creating it. Breakdancing roots stretch back to 1970s hip-hop culture in the Bronx. Its acrobatic moves and stylish footwork also rely on a DJ and MC during breaking battles. Feel honed his style through hours of training. He's already won championships organized by Red Bull and came out on top of the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. For Phil, the Olympics are on a whole new level. Let's say if you win something like the Red Bull BC One, which is one of the most prestigious events within our culture, you go to a random person up on the street and you say, I won BC One, they won't know what that is. But if you go to a random person on the street and you say, I'm an Olympian or I won the Olympics, everyone knows what it is. It's immediately recognizable. Breaking is physically demanding, and Phil has been working with a trainer since 2017. He says the challenge is that people might only see the impressive moves and not fully understand the sport. You think like an artist, but you train like an athlete. Breaking was added to the Paris 2024 Olympics after its debut at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. This year's competition begins on Friday and will last three days with 16 b-boys and 16 b-girls battling one-on-one. It's set to take place at the same venue as BMX freestyle, skateboarding and 3x3 basketball at the Place de la Concorde. And this could be the only Olympics to award breaking medals, as Los Angeles will not include the sport in the 2028 Games.

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