Following his gold-medal win at the first—and likely last—Olympic breaking competition at the 2024 Paris Games, Vancouver b-boy Phil Wizard will be making an appearance at Scarborough Town Centre for the Toronto Breakdance Competition, a full day of battles hosted by Break TO, a youth-focused breaking school.
The event promises an energetic display of backspins, headstands and fancy footwork as more than 70 competitors from across the GTA and beyond compete in two-on-two showdowns for a chance to win a grand prize of $2,000. Switch B, who worked as the breaking commentator during the Paris Games, will be hosting, while DJ Yaks will fuel the competitors and crowd with loud, percussive beats. The Wizard himself won’t be taking on challengers, but he’ll judge the day’s dancers alongside Toronto breakers Tafiya and Bboy Burn—and all three will hit the floor in a special judges’ showcase at 3 p.m.
It’s a big moment for Break TO. The Scarborough-based school’s founder, Toronto b-boy and educator Onton See, hopes to make the world of breaking more accessible via affordable classes and inclusive mentorship. “There’s a lot of history with the Scarborough Town Centre and breaking. In the ‘90s, it hosted youth programs and became a community hub for breakers,” says See. “Having the event back at STC is a big deal, and the fact that it’s happening with such a high-profile judge like Phil makes it even more special.”
The Toronto Breakdance Competition runs from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, and is free and open to the public.
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