Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard, Olympic breaking champion (+Photos)

Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard lived up to his role as gold medal favourite and was crowned Olympic champion in the men’s individual breaking dance on Saturday after beating Frenchman Dany Dann in the final held in Place de la Concorde.

Even though the blue-haired Frenchman from French Guiana had the crowd on his side, the Canadian – whose real name is Philip Kim – was able to prevail in the three rounds of dialogue between the b-boys, with a total of 23 votes from the judges in his favour, compared to just 4 for Danny Dann (Danis Civil) in the Men’s Grand Final at Paris 2024.

Dany Dann (left) challenged the Canadian (right) in the men’s final

On his way to the gold medal match, the 27-year-old Wizard had successively beaten Danny Dann himself, the Ukrainian Kuzya and the Australian J Attack in the first round, the Dutchman Lee in the quarter-finals and the Japanese Shigekix in the semi-finals.

The latter, despite being another of the tournament’s big favourites, had to face the American Victor for the bronze.

Origin of the champion

It was the 30-year-old b-boy from Orlando (Florida) whose full name is Victor Montalvo, who finally managed to get on the podium after defeating his opponent by 3 (20)-0 (7).

Breaking had made its Olympic debut on Friday with the elimination rounds and the women’s individual finals.

The first ever gold medal in breaking was won by Japanese b-girl Ami, who was joined on the podium by Lithuanian Nicka and Chinese 671, who won silver and bronze respectively.

Amy from Japan won the women’s competition

This type of dance, which mixes hybrid musical styles such as breakbeat, funk, rap and soul, entered the Olympic competitions as part of the new disciplines programme.

Although it requires intense cardiovascular, muscular and coordination work, it is a bet for Paris 2024 – after its success at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires – that has not been exempt from criticism from those who do not consider this practice a true sport.

Music, an essential element

It takes place to the music of a DJ accompanied by a Master of Ceremonies (MC) and the competitive format works with a breaker (who can also work as a team) who dances by lying on the floor.

The opponent responds with similar moves and the judges pass judgment on points, based on six criteria, including technique and creativity.

The American won the gold medal at the event that combined music and sport

Breaking, unlike other street sports that have also held their Olympic tournaments in temporary stadiums built in the monumental Place de la Concorde, such as skateboarding or 3×3 basketball, will not be in Los Angeles 2028.

This makes the medals in Paris even more special, as it is not yet known whether this discipline, which emerged in the Bronx as one of the pillars of hip-hop culture, will once again be an Olympic event.

Paris / EFE