Breaking into the Olympics: A New Era of Athleticism

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a historic moment with the rhythmic beats of hip-hop culture taking center stage as breaking made its electrifying debut at the Paris 2024 Games. From the 1970s New York streets to the grand Olympics stage, breaking Olympics 2024 charted the grand debut in Paris. With acrobatic moves, freestyle expression, and intense competition, the world-watched B-boys and B-girls battled for Olympic glory for the first time, proving that athleticism comes in countless forms.

Breaking Olympics 2024 Meaning: 

Breaking or breakdancing is a dynamic, acrobatic street-style dance performance by b-boys or b-girls pupils. It was first introduced by African-American and Latino youth in New York boroughs in the 1970s when hip-hop was making its way to the world’s artistic culture. Pioneered by DJs like Kool Herc, who isolated rhythmic breaks in music, breaking quickly became a cornerstone of the burgeoning movement. 

Rooted in the streets, this expressive dance style evolved through the creativity and athleticism of young people, incorporating elements of gymnastics, capoeira, and other dance forms. Over the decades, breaking spread globally, developing distinct styles and communities in cities worldwide. Its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics marked a monumental leap from the urban playgrounds to the international stage.

Why is Breaking Olympic Sports?

In previous years, the International Olympic Committee committed to including sports that cater to all age groups. Recently, many new sports, like skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing, have been added as part of the big event, and so the “breaking.” Olympic breakdancing includes the spirit of athleticism while showcasing hip-hop American culture. 

This trend was included in the Paris Olympics after the groundbreaking success of Breaking at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. The sport was trendy among youngsters and the older generation, with a viewership of over 1 million. Breaking officially entered the Olympic Paris Sports schedule on December 7, 2021. However, this sport will not be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program.

Break Dancing Olympics at Paris 2024: Matches, Teams, Results, & Replays

The Paris Olympics 2024 marked a significant milestone after setting a big stage to support the importance of breaking as a sport. The stage offered many B-boys and B-girls to showcase their extraordinary talent for adding athletic moves to their dance. The event was divided into two segments—for women and men. A total of 16 B-boys and 16 B-girls went face-to-face in spectacular solo battles. 

According to the Paris Olympics, the contestants displayed their greatest movements for the break dancing Olympics. They tried to keep up with the pace of the DJ’s tracks, improvising to stay alive in the dance fight with a combination of “power moves,” such as windmills, the 6-step and freezes. Teams from Japan, Lithuania, the United States, China, France, and Canada took part in this memorable event and performed their best in women’s and men’s solo battles.

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Women Breaking Battles Results:

The big event covers beats, sweat, and hard work, giving the most outstanding memorable moments. Japan’s Ami Yuasa (B-Girl “Ami”), 25, took the stage with the most unique performance, following every beat with the best moves to strip the gold from  Lithuania’s Dominika Banevic (B-Girl “Nicka”), 17. The two battled for gold to become the first-ever breaking Gold medalist. Nicka earned a silver medal, having Lithuania’s fourth Olympic medal in Paris. 

For the bronze battle, China’s Liu Qingyi (B-girl 671) overpowered India Sardjoe (B-girl India) 2-1, crowding China’s medal collection with her bronze.

The gold winner, Ami, praised Olympic acts for adding new competitions like Breaking into the sports category. She said, “The fact that breaking was added to the Olympic Games was a great thing because it allowed people to discover all the wonderful things about breaking.”

Men Breaking Battles Result:

The men’s category gave another surprising result. Canadian B-boy Philip Kim (B-boy Philip Wizard) won the first-ever Olympics-breaking gold medal after an astounding battle with France’s Danis Civil (B-boy Danny Dann), pushing him to the silver. 

In a brief moment after winning the gold, star medalist Philip shared his happy moment by saying, “I am over the moon right now. I don’t really believe it.” 

For the bronze medal, breakdancing Olympics 2024 Team USA participant Victor Montalvo (B-boy Victor) battles with Japan’s star breakdancer Shigeyuki Nakarai (B-boy Shigekix). The impressive results favored Victor to carry the bronze medal to the USA after defeating his opponent, Shigekix. 

Victor, a bronze medal winner, began his journey at six under the guidance of his father, Victor Bermudez, and his uncle, Hector Bermudez. He declared his success in such a way, “ I’m going home with a bronze medal, and it is amazing. He added, “I said to myself I needed to come back with something, and I did.” 

After claiming world titles in 2021 and 2023, Victor now holds the bronze in the breaking Olympic 2024. 

Breaking Olympic Journey: End of the Era or A New Beginning

As the breaking Olympics 2024 concluded with the best moments and tremendous performances by many B-boys and B-girls to cherish for a time, the event will not be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. 

This decision has sparked debate among athletes, fans, and the broader sports community about the future of breaking into the Olympic movement. However, with this historic debut, breaking has undoubtedly secured its place as a force to be reckoned with in the sporting world, inspiring future generations of dancers and athletes alike. 

Also, read on USA vs France Basketball: A Thrilling Showdown at the 2024 Paris Olympics.