Vancouver's Phil Wizard Wins Olympic Gold in Breaking
Vancouver local Philip Kim, better known as Phil Wizard, clinched gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics in front of an exuberant crowd. The 26-year-old Korean-Canadian was one of the favorites to win the Men’s Breaking event, where he showed a dominant performance in the gold medal battle against France’s Dany Dann (Danis Civil). U.S. breaker Victor Montalvo, another favorite, won the bronze medal over Japanese breaker Shigekix (Shigeyuki Nakarai).
A Gratifying Victory for a Dedicated Athlete
Phil Wizard’s path to Olympic gold was marked by hard work, dedication, and a genuine love for the sport. Prior to his trip to Paris, Phil Wizard told me, “I want to show all my moves. I have a lot of content and I want to be able to show it all. And what content comes out will be purely based on the moment.” His spontaneous approach and extensive arsenal of skills clearly served him well.
Breaking's Olympic Debut: A Celebration of Style and Originality
In an unlikely turn of events, Phil and Dany both started the day in Group B among 16 total breakers in 4 groups, then danced their way through the Top 8 knockout bracket to meet each other in the finals. Performing a total of 15 grueling rounds over the course of the day, Phil also took out the aforementioned Shigekix, as well as Netherland’s Lee (Lee-Lou Demierre). Phil Wizard joins Japanese b-girl Ami as one of the first, and to date, the only gold medalists in Olympic breaking. All in all, breaking made its Olympic debut with a bang, from memes to truly incredible performances. Breakers, family members, and fans around the world can stand proud knowing that these 33 men and women represented this culture to the fullest on its biggest platform yet.
What’s Next for Breaking?
The future of breaking on the Olympic stage remains uncertain, as it won’t be included in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. This decision has generated some disappointment within the breaking community, but Phil Wizard remains optimistic about the sport’s long-term prospects. He believes that the exposure gained from the Paris Olympics will help to grow the sport and inspire future generations of breakers.
He says, “I think the Olympics is not the be all and end all. I think it’s unfortunate because I’ve truly fallen in love with the process and the sports world and meeting other athletes and being a part of Team Canada. It’s been truly an honour and I’m very sad that this will be a one-and-done. But I have a very positive mindset going forward. I think people are falling in love with breaking and, for me, that’s always been the goal — to grow this sport.”
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Breaking
While Phil Wizard’s historic victory at the Paris Olympics serves as a highlight for the sport, the real success lies in the future. Breaking, with its vibrant energy and captivating artistry, continues to attract a growing global fan base. The sport’s inclusivity and unique blend of athleticism and creativity make it an exciting prospect for the future of sports entertainment.
The Paris Olympics provided a global platform for breaking to showcase its potential. While its future on the Olympic stage remains unclear, the passion and dedication of athletes like Phil Wizard will ensure that the sport continues to flourish, inspiring future generations and expanding its reach across the globe. This is just the beginning for breaking.
