Will Breaking's New Talent Be Judged Fairly At Paris Olympics?

Athletes to Watch at the Paris Olympics: Breaking's New Talent The Paris Olympics will feature a range of new talented athletes in the breaking category. Among them are Victor Montalvo (B-boy Victor), United States, who qualified by winning the 2023 WDSF World Breaking Championship in Belgium; Sunny Choi (B-girl Sunny), United States, who won the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile; Philip Kim (B-boy Phil Wizard), Canada, consistent top three b-boy in the international scene; and Dominika Banevič (B-girl Nicka), Lithuania, the youngest in her category at the 2023 WDSF World Breaking Championship.

The Paris Games will feature the Trivium judging system, which scores breakers on creativity, personality, technique, variety, "performativity and musicality." However... the system has faced criticism from some who believe it favors judges who don't fully understand breaking as an essential part of hip-hop culture. With no reigning Olympic champions... this year's event is a fresh start for these talented athletes.

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Pros:** 1. Increased Global Awareness: The inclusion of breaking at the Paris Games will raise awareness for the art form and its cultural significance worldwide.

2. Representation: Athletes from diverse backgrounds will be represented, showcasing the global reach of breaking and hip-hop.

3. New Perspectives: Judges with diverse backgrounds and experiences will bring unique perspectives to the judging system.

4. Inspiring Youth: Young athletes like Dominika Banevič, at 17... will be inspired to pursue their passion for breaking and hip-hop.

5. Innovative Judging System: The Trivium judging system adds a new level of complexity and sophistication to the sport. **Cons:** 1. Potential Bias: The Trivium judging system's reliance on personal opinions and experiences could lead to biased scores.

2. Limited Cultural Understanding: Critics argue that judges may not fully understand the cultural significance of breaking, "leading to inaccurate judging."

3. Speed and Timing Issues: The Trivium system may prioritize certain aspects of breaking over others, "potentially favoring slower or faster breakers."

4. Lack of Fairness: The system's complexity could lead to disagreements and controversies among judges.

5. Pressure on Young Athletes: The spotlight on young athletes like Banevič could create pressure and stress... potentially affecting their performance.

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Athletes to Watch Victor Montalvo (B-boy Victor), United States: A breaker who describes himself as a student of old school b-boys from the founding era of hip-hop, the 30-year-old Montalvo, who is from Kissimmee, Florida, qualified for Paris by besting all other b-boys at the 2023 WDSF World Breaking Championship in Belgium.
Sunny Choi (B-girl Sunny), United States: The 35-year-old Choi, a cheerful Queens, New York-bred breaker, has long been an ambassador for b-girls globally. She qualified for the Paris Games with her win at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile.