Breaking, known as a form of hip-hop dance, is set to make its Olympic debut this summer, with competitions for B-boys and B-girls scheduled for August 9 and 10 in La Concorde, Paris. This highly anticipated event follows the success of breaking at the Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, six years ago. The U.S. team features reigning champions from the WDSF World Breaking Championship, including Victor “B-Boy Victor” Montalvo and Dominika “B-Girl Nicka” Banevič, both of whom will compete for gold.
Luis “Prevail” Toledo, a veteran breaker, emphasizes that viewers will experience the essence of hip-hop. He highlights the origins of breaking, which emerged in the 1970s within Black and brown communities in the Bronx as a creative outlet during gang tensions. The term “breaking” derives from the instrumental breaks in songs that inspired dancers to showcase their skills. Key dance movements include toprock (standing moves), downrock (floor moves), freezes (holding poses), and power moves (acrobatic maneuvers).
Competitors will battle in a round-robin format, with best-of-three “throwdowns” allowing them to improvise routines to music by DJs. A panel of nine judges will evaluate performances based on originality, technicality, vocabulary, execution, and musicality, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each dancer’s skills.
Team USA consists of two B-girls, Sunny “B-Girl Sunny” Choi and Logan “Logistx” Edra, and two B-boys, Victor Montalvo and Jeffrey “B-Boy Jeffro” Louis. In total, 16 men and 16 women from various countries will participate.
While some breakers express concern that Olympic recognition may dilute the cultural significance of breaking, others support its inclusion as a means to gain wider appreciation as a sport. Toledo, who values community practice and grassroots events, believes that increased visibility will create more opportunities for dancers.
Fans can watch the Olympic breaking competitions live on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. The event schedule includes qualification rounds for women on August 9, followed by the men’s competition on August 10. Live watch parties are also planned in locations like Queens, New York.
For enthusiasts looking to continue their passion for breaking beyond the Olympics, local events and competitions, including the Red Bull BC One World Final set for December 7 in Rio de Janeiro, offer opportunities to engage with the breakdancing community. Numerous dance studios also provide introductory classes for beginners eager to learn.