Victor Montalvo made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first American to win a medal in breakdancing at the quadrennial sports event. This is the year when breakdancing first became an official Olympic sport and Montalvo led Team USA to its first victory in its inaugural year. However, if it were completely up to his mother, Montalvo would have had difficulty reaching this place in life.

His parents had immigrated from Mexico. Back then, Victor’s father and uncle were both B-boys. When they moved to the United States, the brothers had to work hard, and breaking didn’t allow them to earn a decent living. The ill fate that followed them was so haunting for Montalvo’s mother that she didn’t want him to walk the same steps.

Victor Montalvo almost didn’t follow his passion

Before moving to the United States, The Bermudez Twins were trying their best to make something out of their talent. Even after immigrating, they tried to make a living out of their musical talent and even joined a band. However, when fate didn’t align, they turned to a life of crime and eventually became a part of a street gang where they almost ended up imprisoned.

This had imprinted on Montalvo’s mother after the family had settled down in Florida. “My mum and her side of the family were really upset. They thought it was horrible, that I was going to be a nobody, that I needed to go back to school to have a career,” recalled Montalvo while talking to Red Bull in 2022.

An incredible butterfly effect led Victor Montalvo to create history at the Olympics because his father supported his dream. However, his mother’s feelings were also valid since they were coming from a practical place, as she did not want her son to meet a dark turn in his life. He eventually ended up with Kateryna Pavlenko, who is also a breaker from Ukraine. Pavlenko’s husband’s winning bronze must have also made her happy because of her own Olympic heartbreak.

Victor Montalvo’s wife couldn’t get her dream fulfilled

When she wanted to explore more opportunities in breakdancing, Pavlenko left Ukraine behind to live in the United States instead. This happened several months before war broke out in her home country. Partly the reason for her shifting to the States was also her love interest. Who knew that she would end up marrying Victor Montalvo? Despite having such a relationship with the US, she still had to participate in the Olympics on behalf of her motherland. Fans suffered heartbreak alongside Kate when she was unable to proceed further into the competition after getting defeated in the quarterfinals.

She did not have the chance to even compete for a bronze medal. So, Victor Montalvo’s bronze medal is a kind of redemption to his wife’s Olympic heartbreak. Although both of them participated and had fun whilst being a part of the competition, it would have made the fanbase happier to see her win a medal for her country. But one shouldn’t forget that there will always be a next time for B-girl Kate to hone her skills and come back to take back what belongs to her. Similarly, we are preparing ourselves to see Victor Montalvo to also become the first American to win gold in the Olympics and make history once more.

Would you like to see him do this four years down the line?