Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard (Philip Kim) took gold in the first Olympic men’s breaking tournament Saturday.
“I never thought I’d be here in my life,” the 27-year-old said, wiping away tears. He spent the last few sleepless nights “tossing and turning” because he was “stressed out of my mind.”
“I cried yesterday because I was so scared to do this, and, I’m just happy. I’m just happy,” he said.
Hometown favorite French b-boy Dany Dann (Danis Civil) won silver, and American b-boy Victor (Victor Montalvo) took the bronze after taking out Japanese b-boy Shigekix (Shigeyuki Nakarai). These Olympic medals may be the last for breaking, at least for some time — the dance form is not in the lineup of sports for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Seeing this video I am 100 % convinced that break dance battles are the most wholesome form of direct competition. These two athletes treating each other with respect and fun while competing against each other for Olympic gold ist just amazing.
You know what else is? The World’s Strongest Man competitions. ESPN2 used to show them, not sure if they still do. Everyone is super supportive of each other. They will come to each other’s aid if something goes wrong and they are all really happy for whoever wins. Super strong guys who have absolutely no aggression toward each other. It’s a cool competition (and weird as fuck) and everyone likes each other.
Mountain biking, too, at least judging by the one competition I’ve seen.
I think a lot of sports are like this just because most people are like this. I’m trying to think of another sport where the competitors are all just total assholes who can’t laugh about anything. I’m not that into all kinds of different sports so I don’t have much to go on but I can’t think of anything.
Breakdancing is about having fun and laughing though.
I think a lot of sports are like this just because most people are like this.
Absolutely. Even in “combat sports” like boxing, or martial arts most of the competitors are friendly towards each other.
I find it much more engaging than the constant trash talking that some sports seem to have normalized.
Muhammad Ali said all those mean things about how George Foreman looked and then whooped his ass and they were still friends.
Holy crap, he looked like when the character physics glitch out in a video game, but under control at the same time.
Holy shit, their whole routines are improvised. They hadn’t heard the music before.
I am fucking floored.
It’s the same quick, creative muscle that rappers and comedians exercise.
Absolutely. I’ve done my share of standup. These guys are the next level when it comes to improvising though.
Oh. Oh! That makes it all a lot more impressive.
That was amazing!
The performance was amazing, the announcers sucked.
When I watch any Olympic competition I have never seen before I have some idea what is going on because the announcers make a point of saying who these people are, why a move is difficult/impressive, what the requirements are, and why deductions might happen.
Here all I heard was “YA BOOOOOOYYYYYYY!” through the entire performance, with a brief mention of an error made by France but I have no idea what that error actually was.
He tried to do a maneuver onto his head, but he missed the timing and wasn’t in the right position. Just before the announcers talk about it you see his head go down to the floor, but he wasn’t high enough to get the top of his head down … just the side of his head, then he slid.
It was a lot like a missed landing in gymnastics.
Olympic breakdancing is awesome. Zeus would definitely approve.
I don’t know, I think he was more into changing into animals and raping humans.
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Was awesome. It’s not going to return. This guy will go down as undefeated which is a silver lining I suppose.
This is so sad. Give it a bit of time to live at least, guys!
Edit: According to CBC it’s not necessarily dead. It won’t be in LA but in light of the popularity Brisbane 2032 could see it.
Did they have to compete under their real names? I think it would be cooler if they could use their chosen names.
What sounds cooler on the podium:
“The winner of the gold medal is Philip Kim!”
or
“The winner of the gold medal is Phil Wizard!”
He’s a wizard, man. Call him a wizard.
On the CBC coverage they didn’t use anyone’s real names, it was all just dance names.
I thought it was super entertaining compared to something like running or high jump. If anyone doubts these people’s athleticism, just watch and you’ll change your mind.
Ray Gunn…But Phil Wizard was absolutely insane and smooth
Nice. I’m visiting some people, but I’m going home tonight and plan to watch the rerun. I don’t mind that I already know who won.
I’m not even all that into break dancing. I’m not all that into the music. But I appreciate people with amazing acrobatic dance skills.
I would also check out the women. It’s less power focused, but I actually enjoyed the contest more than the men’s event!
Thanks. I definitely plan on watching both.
Then head over and watch some popping! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u8l9yF_p84
Whoa whoa whoa, running is boring yeah, but you best respect high jump / long jump / triple jump!
Why did he (apparently) randomly lift his shirt to show his belly at times?
I’m entirely unfamiliar with breaking.
When you’ve got those kinds of abs, you have to give the crowd what they want.
My favourite event of the Olympics by far, both finals were epic
I watched the women’s final and omg there was some serious cringe there.
You can bet your ass detractors will use that aussie woman to say that it has no place in the olympics.
As is often the case, one outlier draws all the attention away from everyone else who are much more representative of the actual sport/artform/culture.
Hating on women is so hot right now
From Toronto! Awesome. Represent, Phil. Also what’s with all the fuddy duddies in the comments?
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They’re measuring dancing now?
While I’m personally a very talented technical dancer, this just isn’t right.
Figure skating is also an olympic competition, is it not?
Along with rhythmic gymnastics, synchronised swimming, dressage…
I would say this is more impressive because they don’t get to choose their music nor listen to it ahead of time.
