As the crowd watched, Victor Montalvo did backspins and headstands. While balancing on his hands, he lowered his legs and swung them around in a circle. In between flips and tumbles, Montalvo’s feet never stopped moving to the hip-hop music that was playing. 

That was the scene last September when Montalvo won the 2023 World DanceSport Federation World Breaking Championship. He had just become the world’s top-ranked B-boy. That’s someone who performs a style of dance called breaking. It was also the moment Montalvo qualified for the first spot on Team USA’s breaking team.

Breaking is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France. The Games will begin in late July. For more than two weeks, about 10,500 athletes from around the world will try to win medals. They’ll compete in 32 sports, including gymnastics, surfing, and skateboarding.

Montalvo is excited to introduce many to breaking.

“I want to show people how beautiful an art form it is,” he says. 

The crowd watched Victor Montalvo. Hip-hop music was playing. Montalvo did backspins and headstands. While balancing on his hands, he lowered his legs and swung them around in a circle. In between flips and tumbles, Montalvo’s feet never stopped moving. 

This scene happened last September. That was when Montalvo won the 2023 World DanceSport Federation World Breaking Championship. He had just become the world’s top-ranked B-boy. That’s someone who performs a style of dance called breaking. It was also the moment Montalvo qualified for the first spot on Team USA’s breaking team.

Breaking is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games. The Games will be in Paris, France. They will begin in late July. For more than two weeks, about 10,500 athletes from around the world will try to win medals. They’ll compete in 32 sports. These include gymnastics, surfing, and skateboarding.

Montalvo is excited to introduce many to breaking. 

“I want to show people how beautiful an art form it is,” he says.

Breaking got its start in the Bronx in New York City. In 1973, hip-hop music was created by DJ Kool Herc. At parties, DJs like Herc spun records, or played music. They also created beats. Rappers added words to the music.

One thing that made hip-hop music stand out was the break. During a break, all rapping and instruments stopped—except for the drums. That’s when the breaking began.

During the break, dancers known as B-girls and B-boys took turns. They showed off their moves and personality. As they spun on their heads or did backflips, the crowd cheered. Breaking became very popular in New York City. It soon spread around the world. 

Breaking got its start in the Bronx. That’s in New York City. In 1973, hip-hop music was created by DJ Cool Herc. At parties, DJs spun records, or played music. They also created beats. Rappers added words to the music.

One thing that made hip-hop music stand out was the break. During a break, all rapping and instruments stopped—except for the drums. That’s when the breaking began.

During the break, dancers showed off their moves and personality. The dancers are known as B-girls and B-boys. They spun on their heads or did backflips. The crowd cheered. Breaking became very popular in New York City. It soon spread around the world. 

Montalvo hopes the Olympics inspire others to get into breaking. But some people say it shouldn’t be included in the Games. They don’t think it’s a sport. Montalvo thinks he and other breakers can change those people’s minds. 

“If you watch the moves they are doing, it’s so incredible,” he says. “Once people see it in person, they’re going to be so amazed.” 

Montalvo hopes the Olympics inspire others to get into breaking. But some people say it shouldn’t be included in the Games. They don’t think it’s a sport. Montalvo thinks breakers will change those people’s minds. 

“If you watch the moves they are doing, it’s so incredible,” he says. “Once people see it in person, they’re going to be so amazed.”