These Dancers Want to Prove Breaking Isn’t a Joke After the Olympics Memes

Breaking was supposed to have its global moment this year. But its historic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics was somewhat overshadowed by memes and controversy. If you were even slightly online during the Olympics, it was hard to escape mentions of Raygun, the Australian breakdancer who went viral for her unorthodox dance moves that earned zero points and left little media publicity for the technically fierce competitors of the sport.

This includes breakdancers like Logan “Logistx” Edra, Victor “B-Boy Victor” Montalvo, Phil “B-Boy Phil Wizard” Kim, and Ronnie “B-Boy Ronnie” Abaldonado, who all chatted with PS about their experiences and desire to elevate breaking post-Olympics. Ahead, the four Redbull dancers open up about their untold Olympics stories, what it was like to compete in the games, how they prepared, and what their goals are moving forward.

What Was the Olympics Like For B-Boys and B-Girls?

Logan Edra, known as b-girl Logistx, is a rising star in the breakdancing scene, celebrated for her star power, talent, and dynamic style. At 21, she has already made significant strides, representing the United States in international competitions and earning recognition for her innovative moves and artistic expression.

For Edra, Olympic viewers didn’t get the full picture of what breaking means to the community of dancers and fans. “The media wasn’t really emphasizing the positive things, and the ways that we really represented in a dope way at the Olympics,” she says. The Flipina breaker specifically wanted to emphasize the representation of hip-hop and communities of color within the sport and on the Olympic stage.

“I felt a sense of pride in representing and being a person of color, with a family of immigrants living in the US; I really felt that in this experience I was able to represent that, and be respected for my existence,” Edra says.

With its roots deeply embedded in hip-hop culture, the genre also promotes a sense of support and camaraderie that may not have come across the TV screen, says Olympic gold medalist Phil Kim, better known as B-boy Phil Wizard.

“To be honest, for me, the beauty of breaking was always that it didn’t matter what you looked like or where you were from,” he says. “Hip-hop and breaking brings people together – you could see it on the Olympic stage and you see it at cultural events from all around the world.”

At the Olympics, Kim says he had “the time of his life” while on stage, and off. “It felt like being a part of something bigger, a pause in the world where everyone comes together for the beauty of sport,” he adds. “It’s a moment I still think about.”

For Kim, being able to compete on the Olympic stage was also incredibly validating, having struggled with impostor syndrome for years while practicing the relatively new dance style. “The constant questioning internally, and externally, of if this is a ‘real job’ – [I] think the inclusion in the Olympics was a great push for that, no one really questions me anymore,” Kim says.

How Breakers Prepared For the Olympics

Another misconception breakers hope to dispel post-Olympics is how much effort is put into their work. While Raygun’s nontraditional performance may have seemed improvised, it wasn’t – and breaking requires hours of practice, training, and exercise.

“Breakers are a hybrid between athletes in the competitive sports world and artists in hip-hop culture,” says Ronnie Abaldonado, who helped host the Olympics breaking competition. “We train like athletes and create like artists.”

Victor Montalvo, who often showcases a blend of power moves, intricate footwork, and creativity that captivates audiences, says he couldn’t do it without a consistent training regimen. Strength and conditioning has played a “big role” in his journey as both an athlete and an artist, he says.

“Breaking requires a lot of endurance – so I focus a ton on my cardio, making sure I have the energy to go round after round. I also work out a ton at the Red Bull Athletic Performance Center with the trainers there who help me create programs to get to my goals,” Montalvo says. Outside of breaking, he practices Muay Thai and also credits calisthenics to helping his training.

Kim prioritizes cross-training, too. “Strength and conditioning has been huge for me, I’ve been working out consistently since around 2018, and with a trainer as well,” he says. “I think that was vital to my transformation, both mentally and physically.”

Mental fortitude is also a crucial aspect of breaking, per Abdaldonado. Knowing how to bounce back is a necessary part of the sport – and of life. “In a breaking battle, when you lose – you don’t quit, you learn from your mistakes, grow, and become better for the next competition,” Abaldonado says. “You can apply the same mentality to challenges in life. Each challenge becomes a stepping stone towards becoming better and more resilient for future obstacles.”

Elevating the Future of Breaking

While breaking will not be featured in the 2028 Olympics, these athletes are determined to push the sport forward.

Montalvo has his sights set on helping his local community next. “I want to definitely support the scene – maybe throw an event – and do something for my community back in Florida,” he says.

The breaker credits his mentors, B-Boy Ivan, Mex One, his dad, and his uncle, with teaching him breaking – but also the power of community. “I’ve come to figure out you need a good circle around you,” he says. “You need great support, a really good support system, people who push you past your limits, and you also need a great mentality, but that comes from a great support system.” Now, he hopes to instill this mentality in others.

Abaldonado, who started breaking in 1993, has similar goals. His crew has been around for 29 years, and whether performing with Super Cr3w or the Jabbawockeez, their mission remains the same.

These days, Abaldonado spends most of his time with younger generations, teaching them the art form, blending athleticism and artistry, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the dance form – and, in turn, their lives.

“Our studio motto that is printed on our wall on top of our mirror is: ‘Empowering Dancers, Impacting Lives, Connecting the Community,'” Abaldonado says – it’s a mantra that speaks to him personally, but encapsulates the breaking community as a whole, he says.

Jade Esmeralda (she/her), MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.