Four years after breaking set officially became a part of the Paris 2024 program. The dance sport will finally get its share of the Olympic limelight on Friday (9 August), fittingly in the City of Light.
Breaking Set:
And the B-Boys and B-Girls are ready. In fact, they’ve been ready.
“It’s been a long process for us and for all of us a very new process,” Canadian B-Boy Phil Wizard told Olympics.com on the eve of the competition at La Concorde. “It’s two years-plus in the making and it all happens on one day.
“So there’s a lot of excitement, there’s a lot of nervousness. You’re seeing the best of the best on the floor but I think everyone’s just looking forward for the world to see breaking set.”
Said Japan’s flag-bearer and superstar B-Boy Shigekix, “There will be a lot of people watching and I’m grateful for all the attention breaking is getting. I think each and every one of us is somewhat nervous, excited.
As a Competitor:
“We’re all fired up but as a competitor, I need to be business as usual. Trying too hard, wanting it too much doesn’t bring out the best in me.
“I’m going to be a pro about this – focus on who I am and what I do.”
The two-day competition starts with the B-Girls on Friday, the B-Boys the following day.
In slightly more than five hours, they will have to battle through a round robin, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the medal matches. Unlike your average breaking event which is usually spread over a couple of days, the Olympic format is one day. It is not for the faint-hearted.
Some have tailored their workouts specifically for the Games like Shigekix, who has been simulating the five-hour slog during training camp back in Japan. Others like USA B-Girl Sunny have not changed much in their regimen.
Everyone’s approach seems to differ but there is a unanimous feeling of not knowing what to expect from a completely novel tournament.
