Canadian b-boy Phil Wizard (Philip Kim) took gold in the first Olympic men’s breaking tournament Saturday.

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.worksEnglish
      33·
      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.worldMEnglish
        151·
        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.worldEnglish
            4·
            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_ehEnglish
              1·
              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.

    • AlbbiEnglish
      15·
      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.worldMEnglish
      142·
      4 months ago

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

      I am fucking floored.

    • CileTheSaneEnglish
      5·
      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.

      • girlfreddyOPEnglish
        2·
        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.