Phil Wizard has won a historic Olympic breaking gold for Canada, defeating France’s Danis Civil. The Korean-Canadian star achieved his victory with pure joy on the sport’s biggest stage.
He won the gold medal in the men’s 2024 Summer Olympics and was the discipline’s 2022 World Champion.
Phil Wizard discovered his passion for breaking in 2009 after watching the Now or Never (N.O.N.) crew perform street shows in downtown Vancouver.
Their energy and skill inspired him, and he began practicing b-boying at Magee Secondary School, often sneaking out of class to try new moves in the hallway.
His dedication to breaking grew so strong that he eventually dropped out of his psychology studies to pursue dance full-time.
He honed his skills by studying YouTube videos with no formal training, developing a unique style that blended power, creativity, and precision.
His hard work paid off when he dominated the global breaking scene. In 2022, he defeated over 250 competitors to win gold at the WDSF World Breaking Championships in Seoul, South Korea.
Moreover, Phil trained with Hong 10 in Seoul, Korea, in 2022, focusing on stamina for competitions.
The following year, he claimed another gold at the 2023 WDSF Pan American Breaking Championship and secured silver at the 2023 World Breaking Championship.
He was named to Canada’s 2023 Pan American Games team in August 2023 and won gold in the inaugural 2024 Olympic Breakdancing competition.
Phil Wizard’s Journey from Korean Roots to Olympic Glory
Philip Kim, the son of Gilsoo and Byung Tae, was born on January 25, 1997, in Toronto, Canada. He is a Canadian athlete of Korean descent.
His parents immigrated from Korea to Canada in search of new opportunities, and they raised him in Vancouver, British Columbia, alongside his brothers, Daniel and John.
Phil’s parents, though traditional, were not overly strict but always prioritized their children’s future.
When he expressed his desire to quit his studies and pursue a career in breaking, they were initially hesitant but ultimately supportive. His father gave him a three-year ultimatum.
I’ll give you three years to show us that you can do it. We’ll support you, you can live at home, whatever. But then after that, if it doesn’t work out, you go to school.
At just 20 years old, Phil dedicated himself entirely to dancing, facing mental and physical challenges in a highly competitive scene.
His perseverance paid off when he made history at the Paris Olympics, with his parents proudly watching his winning performance.
Nonetheless, Phil Wizard’s story is proof of the strength of unwavering passion, cultural tradition, and familial support.
As a Korean-Canadian breaking pioneer, he has inspired a new generation of dancers worldwide.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Phil Wizard has a sweet tooth and enjoys eating sweets while working out.
- His stage name was given to him by accident after he was consistently introduced as Phil from the Wizards crew.
- He enjoys journaling, and his favorite author is Brandon Sanderson.
