For the first time in Olympics history, the sport of breaking, commonly referred to as breakdancing, will make its debut as an athletic competition at the Games. One of the breakers vying for gold in the men’s division is Victor Montalvo, who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning a gold medal at the World DanceSport Federation’s World Breaking Championship last year in Belgium.
Montalvo, who is Mexican American, was born in Orlando, Florida, on May 1, 1994. He got his start in breaking when his father began teaching him at the age of six. Since then, Montalvo has become one of the best breakers, or B-boys, across the globe. His first major victory came in 2011 when he won first place at the Red Bull BC One Cypher competition in Tampa.
This year, he won first place at the Breaking World Match 2v2 in Japan and first place at the Pro Breaking Tour-Grand Royal 2v2 in Oakland.
“Without my community’s support, I would not be where I am today,” Montalvo, 30, said in a past interview. “My family moved here from Mexico to put me on the path to success, and alongside our friends, they’ve spent long hours helping me train, looking out for me, and lifting me up when I’ve been down.”
Today, Montalvo is known for his signature move, a one-handed spin he calls the “Super Montalvo.” He hopes to show the world what a Latino breaker can do when he takes the floor in Paris.
“I’m representing my roots,” Montalvo said. “My uncles always told me to be proud of who I am and where I come from. They’re always reminding me, ‘Hey, you’re Mexican. You’re an Aztec warrior. Don’t forget that.’”
Breaking at the 2024 Paris Olympics begins with the women’s competition on August 9, 2024. Montalvo will compete in the men’s division on August 10, 2024.