First-ever breaking athlete named to Canadian Olympic Team
TORONTO (July 3, 2024) – Canada DanceSport (CDS), Breaking Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the first-ever breaking athlete, Philip Kim (Phil Wizard) (Vancouver, B.C.), to compete for Team Canada at the Olympic Games.
Kim made history when he won the first-ever gold medal in B-Boys breaking competition at the Pan American Games as the sport made its debut at Santiago 2023 this past November. By winning the event, he qualified to represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where breaking will make its Olympic debut.
“I’m beyond excited to represent Canada in the debut of breaking at Paris 2024,” said Kim. “It’s been a long journey, and I’ve learned and grown so much along the way. I’m excited to continue that growth, and do my absolute best to showcase what I love to the world, and for the world to fall in love with it as well.”
Kim, who goes by ‘B-Boy Phil Wizard’ during breaking competitions, won Canada’s first world title in breaking at the 2022 World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) World Championships. That triumph followed his runner-up finish at the 2021 World Championships. He went on to win another silver medal at the 2023 World Championships.
Kim made history in January 2019 when he became the first Canadian to win the Undisputed World Series with his victory at the Undisputed V Masters in Morocco. That year, he was also the first Canadian to be invited to the Red Bull RC One World Finals. In 2023, Kim won gold at the WDSF Pan American Championships. That came on the heels of back-to-back podium finishes in Breaking for Gold World Series events as he finished second in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before winning the competition in Montpellier, France.
Known for his creativity and originality in the breaking world, the Toronto-born b-boy who now lives and trains in Vancouver will look to make history again at Paris 2024.
Breaking is an urban dance style that traces its origins to the Bronx in New York City during the mid-1970s. Over the decades, it has evolved into a mixture of a global art form as well as a sport that requires incredible athleticism. In 2016, the International Olympic Committee included breaking on the program for the Buenos Aires 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games. Canada’s Emma Misak won the silver medal in the B-Girls event. Breaking was added to the Olympic program for Paris 2024 as a sport proposed by the Organizing Committee.
“What separates hip hop from many other cultures, is that it is a culture that influences other cultures,” said Geoff Reyes, Breaking Canada’s Team Leader. “Phil has the ability to inspire other athletes in his approach to breaking. We are excited to see his impact and influence as he represents Canada on the Olympic platform.”
Breaking will take place August 9 and 10 (Days 14 and 15) at La Concorde 1 venue.
‘’Phil Wizard has enchanted the breaking scene with his creative and powerful performances to proudly represent Canada in Paris. He is a true wizard of movement, constantly pushing the boundaries of urban art,’’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission. ‘’He symbolizes the very essence of the Canadian dream, where vision meets determination. Canada will cheer you on, matching the rhythm of your steps as you write the history of breaking in Paris with unmatched passion.’’
Team Canada’s breaking team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following coaches and support staff:
Geoff Reyes (Toronto, Ont.) – Team Leader
Juhyun (Taiyo) Seo (Vancouver, B.C.) – Coach
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found here.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kat Bitove, Communications
Breaking Canada
C: 647-973-6300
E: kat@xoxosports.com
Tara MacBournie, Program Manager, Sport Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
C: 647-522-8328
E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca