By Poppy Philbrook
Expo Reporter
OSAKA, Japan – Canada’s Olympic-gold-winning B-boy Phil Wizard took to the Expo 2025 stage at the Canada Pavilion on June 22 with top-notch dance moves and gold medal hardware in tow.
Drawing hundreds of visitors to the pavilion’s cramped stage area to watch him perform, Wizard’s Expo visit came a year after securing the gold medal in B-Boys Breaking at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the sport’s Olympic debut.
Wizard says he thinks Breaking was included in the sporting event by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for youth appeal, and there was lots of youth appeal on display during Wizard’s Expo appearances.
“From my understanding with the IOC, their goal was to attract a younger audience. And so, it’s the go-to, more youthful, and engaging kind of sport,” Wizard in an interview following his first of two performances at Expo.
Wizard says that Breaking’s youth appeal is exactly what drew him into the craft some 16 years ago.
Born Philip Kim in Vancouver, BC, Wizard got his start in breaking in 2009 as a preteen, taking inspiration for his craft from local acts like the Now or Never crew.
For his Expo performance, Wizard returned the favour by inspiring the next generation of future breaking athletes by sharing the stage with two world-class dance troupes, MONSOON! and NEXT Jr., from Fukuoka dance studio, Studio HANA!
Wizard said he isn’t doing this to inspire, but hopes that what young dancers take away from him and his work, is the desire to exist as their most authentic selves.
“The biggest compliment someone’s ever given me was that I let them be more themselves,” Wizard said. “I get that a lot because I think the world of breaking can be very male-dominated, has a lot of masculine energy, and I don’t really give off that kind of energy. I’m not a very masculine dude,” Wizard said.
“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and be like ‘I feel like I can be more myself because of you.’ That’s something I hope to instill in other people and the next generation,” he said. “You can find your way. Whether it’s breaking or a different style of dance, or anything in life, and there’s a certain ‘norm,’ you can break outside of that.”
In the crowd for Wizard’s morning performance was Osaka-based B-girl “Nana,” who said she looks up to the athlete and also got a chance to show Wizard her moves up close.
“I respect him,” Nana said without hesitation after being asked what she thought about Wizard.
“He inspires me,” She continued, “His dance style, the way the movements are linked together, is so creative and fun to watch.”
Being a seasoned breaking athlete, however, was not a requirement to watch Wizard perform. Turns out being an Olympic gold-winning athlete will turn the eyes of just about everyone.
“It was wonderful,” said Osaka resident and Expo attendee Ken Matsuda after lining up to get his second round of photos with Wizard following the afternoon performance.
“I wanted to see him because he’s an Olympic gold medalist, so I came this morning and this afternoon,” Matsuda continued.
The Canadian dancer says the sport is not only an art, but also a form of storytelling. Coming off of his Olympic year, the current story is one of immense gratitude.
“First and foremost, it’s always been an art form. And so, everything that happens in my life, I express through dance,” Wizard said.
“Having such an amazing support system around me, leading into the Olympics, but also with my entire life… I think it’s a common thing amongst all athletes, but it takes a village to get where you are,” Wizard continued. “I’m just grateful for all the people around me–that includes my family, friends, and sponsors. I just try to always showcase that I’m happy because I genuinely am.”
