Image of a person break dancing in front of a graffiti wall

Victor Montalvo, also known as B-boy Victor

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Going for the Gold

A style of dance called breaking is making its first Olympic appearance. 

May 13, 2024
By Nicole Tocco

As You Read, Think About: Why will the Olympics be special to the breakers on Team USA?

Courtesy of Montalvo family

Montalvo began breaking in competitions when he was 14.

Victor Montalvo stepped onto the stage as hip-hop beats filled the air. He went from backspin to handstand to headstand. In between flips and tumbles, Montalvo’s feet never stopped.  

The performance won Montalvo the World DanceSport Federation World Breaking Championship last September. With that victory, Montalvo also qualified for the first spot on Team USA’s breaking team. 

Breaking is a style of hip-hop dance and it’s set to make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France. For more than two weeks starting in July, about 10,500 athletes from around the world will gather. They’ll compete in 32 sports, such as gymnastics, swimming, and skateboarding.

Montalvo has a big responsibility. He’ll be representing the country where breaking was born. 

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

Victor Montalvo stepped onto the stage. Hip-hop beats filled the air. He went from backspin to handstand to headstand. In between flips and tumbles, Montalvo’s feet never stopped. 

That performance took place last September. It won Montalvo the World DanceSport Federation World Breaking Championship. With that victory, Montalvo also qualified for the first spot on Team USA’s breaking team.

Breaking is a style of hip-hop dance. It’s set to make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, France. The Games will start in July and last for more than two weeks. About 10,500 athletes from around the world will gather. They’ll compete in 32 sports. These include gymnastics, swimming, and skateboarding.

Montalvo has a big responsibility. He’ll be representing the country where breaking was born.

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

Hip-Hop Roots

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 spun records and created beats. MCs, some of whom were early rappers, added words to the music.

One thing that made hip-hop music stand out was the break. During a break in the music, rapping stopped. So did the instruments—except for the drums. And that’s when the breaking would begin.

During the break, dancers known as B-boys and B-girls took turns showing off their moves. People would form a circle. Two breakers would move to the middle and have a dance “battle,” doing backflips, headspins, and more. Breaking took over the Bronx. It wasn’t long before the art form spread beyond New York City. 

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 and created beats. Some MCs were rappers. They added words to the music.

One thing that made hip-hop music stand out was the break. During a break in the music, rapping stopped. So did the instruments—except for the drums. That’s when the breaking would begin.

During the break, dancers known as B-boys and B-girls took turns showing off their moves. People would form a circle. Two breakers would move to the middle and have a dance “battle.” They would do backflips, headspins, and more. Breaking took over the Bronx. It wasn’t long before the art form spread beyond New York City. 

A Winning Attitude

Growing up in Kissimmee, Florida, Montalvo was introduced to breaking by his father and uncle. He battled with his siblings and cousins every chance he got.

When Montalvo was 14, he entered his first breaking competition. He lost, but he didn’t give up.

“In breaking, you lose more than you win,” he explains. “For me, it’s like, keep going and learn from your losses.”

Montalvo practiced constantly and went on to win several other competitions. Now he’s preparing to show off his moves to the world at the Olympics. 

Montalvo grew up in Kissimmee, Florida. He was introduced to breaking by his father and uncle. He battled with his siblings and cousins every chance he got.

When Montalvo was 14, he entered his first breaking competition. He lost, but he didn’t give up.

“In breaking, you lose more than you win,” he explains. “For me, it’s like, keep going and learn from your losses.”

Montalvo practiced constantly. He went on to win several other competitions. Now he’s preparing to show off his moves to the world at the Olympics. 

What You Need to Know About The Paris Olympics

©Paris2024 (medal); Shutterstock.com (Paris) 

  • Paris joins London, England, as the only cities to host the Games three times. The Olympics were held in France’s capital in 1900 and 1924. 
  • Every medal winner will take home a piece of Paris’s most famous landmark. Each gold, silver, and bronze medal contains a small piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower.
  • The opening ceremony, on July 26, will be the first held outside a stadium. Athletes will sail down the Seine River through the center of the city.
  • Paris joins London, England, as the only cities to host the Games three times. The Olympics were held in France’s capital in 1900 and 1924. 
  • Every medal winner will take home a piece of Paris’s most famous landmark. Each gold, silver, and bronze medal contains a small piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower.
  • The opening ceremony, on July 26, will be the first held outside a stadium. Athletes will sail down the Seine River through the center of the city.

Olympic Firsts

These Games will look a bit different than Games of the past. For one, this will be the first time in Olympic history that an equal number of men and women will compete.  

And then there’s breaking. Some people don’t consider breaking a sport and say it shouldn’t be included in the Games. But Montalvo disagrees. 

“Once people see it in person, they’re going to be so amazed that they change their minds,” he says. 

Montalvo hopes the Games inspire a whole new generation to get into breaking. For now, he’s preparing to face off with his competitors.

“I’m focused on that gold,” Montalvo says.

These Games will look a bit different than Games of the past. For one, for the first time in Olympic history, an equal number of men and women will compete.  

And then there’s breaking. Some people don’t consider breaking a sport. They say it shouldn’t be included in the Games. But Montalvo disagrees. 

“Once people see it in person, they’re going to be so amazed that they change their minds,” he says. 

Montalvo hopes the Games inspire a whole new generation to get into breaking. For now, he’s preparing to face off with his competitors.

“I’m focused on that gold,” Montalvo says.

Fact File: France

Jim McMahon/Mapman® 

Population: about 69 million. The U.S. has about five times as many people. 

Geography: 212,935 square miles. It would be the third-biggest U.S. state.

Official Language: French

Source: CIA World Factbook

Population: about 69 million. The U.S. has about five times as many people. 

Geography: 212,935 square miles. It would be the third-biggest U.S. state.

Official Language: French

Source: CIA World Factbook

  1. Based on the article, what does it mean to qualify for a spot on a team? How did Victor Montalvo qualify for Team USA’s breaking team?
  2. Summarize the main idea and key details of the section “Hip-Hop Roots.”
  3. Based on what you have read, do you think breaking should be considered a sport? Explain, using evidence from the article.
  1. Based on the article, what does it mean to qualify for a spot on a team? How did Victor Montalvo qualify for Team USA’s breaking team?
  2. Summarize the main idea and key details of the section “Hip-Hop Roots.”
  3. Based on what you have read, do you think breaking should be considered a sport? Explain, using evidence from the article.
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