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.

    • Sockenklaus@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      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.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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        4 months ago

        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.

          • 【J】【u】【s】【t】【Z】@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            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.

            • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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              4 months ago

              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.

    • Albbi@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      Holy crap, he looked like when the character physics glitch out in a video game, but under control at the same time.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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      4 months ago

      Holy shit, their whole routines are improvised. They hadn’t heard the music before.

      I am fucking floored.

    • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      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.

      • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOP
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        4 months ago

        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.

  • acargitz@lemmy.ca
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    4 months ago

    Olympic breakdancing is awesome. Zeus would definitely approve.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldM
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    4 months ago

    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.

    • Poop@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      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.

  • Danquebec@sh.itjust.works
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    4 months ago

    Why did he (apparently) randomly lift his shirt to show his belly at times?

    I’m entirely unfamiliar with breaking.

  • Cornpop@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    I watched the women’s final and omg there was some serious cringe there.

    • yamanii@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      You can bet your ass detractors will use that aussie woman to say that it has no place in the olympics.

      • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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        4 months ago

        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.

  • moistclump@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    From Toronto! Awesome. Represent, Phil. Also what’s with all the fuddy duddies in the comments?

  • Mango@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    They’re measuring dancing now?

    While I’m personally a very talented technical dancer, this just isn’t right.

    • tb_@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Figure skating is also an olympic competition, is it not?

      • noseatbelt@lemmy.ca
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        4 months ago

        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.