Contemporary sports are gaining mainstream popularity over the past few years as the Olympic Committee embraced skateboarding at the 2022 Tokyo Olympics. Breakdancing is getting its moment as it sets to debut at the 2024 Olympics. The sport has come a long way in the past decade, from being a pop culture expression to holding major competitions. The Olympics is the next step into the mainstream.
At the forefront of the sport is Canadian breaker Philip Lim, better known in the breaking community as Phil Wizard. The World Breaking Champion is vying for a spot on Team Canada and is ready to take on Paris in 2024. Between training and constantly trying to push his limits and nurturing the next generation of breakers, the 26-year-old b-boy also represents the sport as a Lululemon ambassador.
Here, we get Phil Wizard's take on what it's like to break at a world level and what the Olympics mean to dancers worldwide. He also delves into what fashion means for the breaking scene and how his clothes can be an extension of his craft.
Can you tell us why you decided on the name Phil Wizard?
My name was given to me in a natural way. My first crew was called the Wizards Crew, and so I was always introduced as Phil from the Wizards Crew. After a while, people just shortened it to Phil Wizard, and I just went with it.
How do you think the sport changed from a fringe genre to becoming more mainstream now? I think we're continuing to see a lot of changes. There is definitely a larger focus on solo events and bigger competitions, which puts a lot of the other aspects of this culture in the background. I hope in the future we get to see the other aspects shine too, like crew battles, 2v2, 3v3, Bonnie and Clyde etc. I don't think the focus on solos is a bad thing, but there are a lot of other aspects of competitive breaking that we can also showcase.
What does breaking becoming an Olympic event mean to you? Has it changed how you approach your training, relationship, and feelings about the sport?
The inclusion of breaking into the Olympics is huge. Even now, I feel I'm still processing it happening, to be completely honest. For myself, I don't feel it's necessarily changed the way I dance or approach my dance. I've always prioritised the athletic component within the dance while still maintaining artistic importance. And it's crucial for me that it doesn't change. But at the same time, I'm always finding ways to improve my training methods, and in the last year, many competitors have upped their training, which has inspired me to also up mine. It's added some stress for sure, but I just see that as an extra challenge for myself to overcome. I see a lot of positive change happening because of the inclusion, and I'm excited to see how things will continue to progress over time.
How would you describe a typical day/week of training?
What are some of the fitness elements that you incorporate into your training? My life revolves around breaking. To me, it's a lifestyle, not just a sport or art. So physically, I'm training anywhere between 15-25 hours a week, with that workload being less while I'm on the road. Working out most days either on my own or with a trainer and then training between 2-4 hours a day. But then, apart from the actual physical training, I'm often thinking about breaking, too, thinking of new ideas or ways to improve. My challenge recently has been balancing all the travel, competitions, and work while keeping up my training.
What would an Olympic gold medal mean to you, as someone already at the game and recognised within his community?
It would mean a lot. I never thought I'd amount to much in my life, and even coming as far as I have now, I can say that I'm proud. I think the prospect of the Olympics, and potentially gold is just something I never saw in my life; that excites me. What else can I do? I think it just opens up my perspective on the possibilities. It would also solidify my place as being one of the best competitors in the game. Which is something I've always sought after.
Fashion is a massive part of the breaking culture; what do style and fashion mean to you?
Yes, fashion is huge! I think apart from the actual dance, it's another way for us to express ourselves. A lot of other sports have some sort of equipment, and for us, it's our clothing. I see it as an extension of our approach to the dance and an extension of our perspectives. Everyone dances differently, and everyone dresses differently. I think that's a beautiful thing, and I love playing with different outfits and silhouettes because it also changes my confidence and feeling when I dance.
How do you reconcile looking good with feeling good and comfortable as an athlete?
I think finding the balance between comfort and style is important. I want to feel confident and comfortable with what I'm wearing, and that's why for me, lululemon was such a perfect fit. I still feel like I can honestly express myself through my clothes but also be unrestricted in my movements.
In what ways do Lululemon's designs/pieces fit your lifestyle?
Lululemon's clothing is designed to be comfortable yet stylish, and that fits my lifestyle. I like the idea of being able to break whenever I feel like it at any point, and I never feel restricted by what I'm wearing to do just that.
As a Canadian, what does being named Lululemon ambassador mean to you?
A huge pull for me with this partnership was the roots; both myself and the brand are rooted in Canada, specifically Vancouver. It lets me bring a piece of home with me whenever I'm travelling for competition, content or anything else. I've also had nothing but positive experiences working with the brand, even prior to the conversation of my becoming an ambassador.
