With 126 medals on the board, Team USA emerged as a dominant force at the 2024 Summer Games. And one of their 42 bronze medals comes from men’s Breakdancing, where B-boy Victor Montalvo clinched a bronze, becoming one of the three historic winners to have ever existed in the Olympic history of this dance-sport. Both Montalvo and B-boy Jeffro, aka Jeffrey Louis, were America’s debut participants for this event’s maiden Olympic appearance. But after solid breaking battles, especially his commendable round-robin stage performances, it was Montalvo who had a dreamy podium finish.

While Loius got knocked out in the quarterfinals, he too had entered the Paris grounds with a full-blown strategy. Just a few days before they left for the Paris show, he voiced a few pointers. And guess what? It seemed the American challengers were already a step ahead of their competitors.

Victor Montalvo and Jeffrey Louis had tested the waters

Speaking to Billboard, Jeffrey Louis mentioned, “We’ve been competing against these guys from the beginning of 2022, so we’re pretty much familiar with everybody. We know what everybody’s going to throw out and what they’re going to do.” It appeared that the Americans were ahead of the curve, and knew what to expect. But, they did have a plan of action.

Louis added, “But everybody has a strategy, and we’re trying to strategize based on their strategy. It’s like a game of chess. At the end of the day, I know my moves.” It is sure that all participants had their own style, arsenal of moves, and fitness regimes. Perhaps, their own X-factor too. However, per Louis, they prepared keeping in mind that the opponent would come in with a battle plan too.

Also, the team USA masterminds seemed to have taken it a step further. Per Louis they even tried grasping the technicality of the judging system while focusing on their strength and conditioning. He said, “The judges might see my moves falling in a different category than what I believe my moves fall in — so you’re trying to understand the judging system, but you’re also trying to understand where you fall in that judging system, and analyzing your strengths and weaknesses within that judging system. It’s maintenance work right now.”

However, none of this can discount the fact that him and Montalvo have had years of experience behind them. Especially Montalvo, who has had a tough past.

Montalvo’s struggling past and the uncertain future of breakdancing at LA

Victor Montalvo’s parents were immigrants, who moved to Florida from Mexico. Both his father and uncle were B-boys and once envisioned the same dream that Victor gets to live today. But they couldn’t, as the reality of living in the United States pushed them to work hard for a living. Even before moving to the USA, they had joined a street gang and were a step away from being imprisoned. Naturally, Victor’s mother wished for him to go to school and have a career. But, little did she know that an Olympic podium awaited his destiny.

However, perhaps Montalvo will not get to upgrade his Olympic medal at the LA Games in 2028. It appears, the jazz of the sport was limited to 30 hours at Paris, for the local organizing committee for the LA Olympics has not proposed breaking for its inclusion in the roster. Other sports like flag football, lacrosse, cricket, etc have been included. But despite breaking having been born in the heart of Los Angeles, has not made it to the list. Moreover, it won’t be part of the core list of Games unless it features at three back-to-back Olympics.

But, Victor Montalvo seems to be returning with a satiated heart this time. Per USA Today, he says, “It’s just a win for all of us. I’m just super happy for breaking and hip-hop culture. We represented, and everyone loved it.” With immense gratitude, he further remarked, “I feel like we did our job. The crowd was going crazy. We’re not in 2028, but honestly, I (am) the first ever bronze medalist for breaking. So that’s an amazing thing to say.” Do you think it is a job done or there is a long way to go for the sport? Let us know below.