Phil Wizard - Breaking Gold Medallist Interview
On August 10th, in front of a cheering crowd of spectators, Canada’s Phil Wizard became the first B-Boy in history to win an Olympic gold medal. Using his creative, musical style, Phil Wizard earned his first place podium spot.
With his major victory in the books, we caught up with the Olympic champion to ask him how he felt about the whole experience, and more.
How does it feel to be an Olympic gold medallist in breaking?
PHIL: It hasn’t fully sunken in yet, it still feels like I’m kind of dreaming. But I had a great time and I feel like I achieved my goal, which honestly wasn’t really to win but just to have a good time and enjoy the moment, and I feel like I did really get to enjoy the moment on the stage. I was having the time of my life up there and that’s something that’s hard to do, especially when there’s so much pressure around it all being on one day.
The main goal was to showcase breaking to the world and I feel like both the B-Boys and the B-Girls did an incredible job of that, so I’m just happy about that.
How did you feel about the overall event from a breaking perspective?
PHIL: Everything was really well organised in terms of an event platform, it felt really just like another big event, but in a good way. It made me feel very comfortable as it was a swirl of emotions leading up to the Olympics, especially when you’re in the village, surrounded by all kinds of new information, meeting different athletes, and stuff like that. But when I actually got to the stage I was like, “this is where I’m comfortable, this is where I thrive.”
The music was incredible and that’s something we always struggle with at big events because of copyright issues in music, so to hear classics break and hip hop music, to hear songs like ‘Judgement day,’ by Method Man, it was such a vibe. I think you could feel it and it completely changed the atmosphere. When you have music that dancers connect with the audience also connects with it, and you see much more magical moments come out from that.
Now that it has come to an end, how was this whole Olympics journey for you?
PHIL: It feels like a big chapter closing and it’s kind of wild. It’s been 2 to 4 years of work culminating into one day, which is insane. I’ll definitely need to take some time to reflect on this, but I feel like the journey really pushed me. I’ve grown in ways I never thought I would, and have had to push myself physically and mentally. I think I’m coming out stronger, plus coming out as an Olympic champion isn’t too shabby. I’m grateful for the process, honestly I’ve grown so much, and I’ll continue to push, and I know there’s so much more work I can still do for my craft.
How was it having your family there supporting you?
PHIL: I had so much support, it was amazing. I had a lot of friends and family come out for this, so to be able to win in front of them was amazing. My parent sacrificed their lives so that we could grow up in Canada, giving us a new opportunity. It really meant the world to me for them to be there. My mum has seen me once before competing but it was my dad and brother’s first time seeing me compete.
How has Canada and the Canadian breaking scene reacted to your gold medal win?
PHIL: There’s been a lot of love, I got so many messages from people from all over the world but in Canada the support was amazing. I know in every province they had like a little showing. I saw videos of people in theatres all watching and supporting me so I’m happy I was able to do them proud. For Team Canada, in general, the support has been amazing, and meeting other athletes has been incredible. Honestly, I’m going to miss it, as we’re out of LA but I made so many good friends. Obviously I’ll still see them but not being involved in the same world anymore is bitter sweet. At the very least though I’ll be currently the one and only breaking Olympic champion and no one can take that away from me. But it’s been incredible, the sports been amazing and I’m really happy I could do my country proud.
There was a vibe with the breakers on the stage, a shared love for each other, giving props even though you were battling. Did you all speak about this or was it just natural?
PHIL: No, I think it was just the vibe, and you’re totally right. I feel like I always do that so it was totally normal for me, but I think there was just a big sense of unity, an understanding of how much work it took to get here, and how stressful it all was. Plus, again, to culminate it all into one day, it’s a lot, so I think everyone put everything they could on the floor and we really showcased the positivity I think breaking brings. There was a sense of love and community, which was beautiful. And I think a lot of people felt it too including a lot of the audience members. Plus, a lot of people on social media commented on it as well. They saw that the breakers were so loving, no one held back, everyone gave it their all, but we were supporting each other all the way.
What would be your message for the world now that breaking has been on the Olympic stage?
PHIL: To the world, I hope you keep watching. I hope this isn’t just a one and done for you. I hope that you fall in love with breaking, continue to support it, and continue to follow the athletes and the culture. There’s a lot more to it than just this one event, there’s a whole culture and community behind it, so I hope people keep watching and keep supporting. Attend your local and community events, and, on a broader scale, come to the bigger events as well, and just get involved.
Photos by Little Shao
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