Vancouver b-boy Phil Wizard always ‘had something special,’ former coach says
Posted August 12, 2024 7:03 am.
Last Updated August 12, 2024 8:36 am.
Vancouver b-boy Phillip Kim — known as “Phil Wizard” — made history Saturday after he won the first-ever gold medal in men’s breakdancing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Kim’s former coach Jheric Hizon, also known as “B-Boy Twist,” says he knew the 27-year-old breaker would win when he realized his former pupil was set to face off against Parisian b-boy Danis Civil in the final competition.
“Just because going into the top four who Phil competed against — they have all beaten Phil in some other competitions. And going into this it was pretty much any of those four would take first, second, third, and fourth place,” he explained.
“It was just a matter of time until the opportunity presented itself, and he took it, and he’s the world champion.”
Kim was first exposed to breakdancing when a community dance program called A Star Society visited his school as a child. Shortly thereafter, he started attending Vancouver’s Boogaloo Academy and training with Hizon — a pioneer in the Vancouver street dance scene and member of the Now Or Never Break Dance Crew.
“We knew there was always something special about Philip, just because of how hard the guy works,” Hizon told 1130 NewsRadio.
Boogaloo Academy co-founder Anita Perel-Panar says Kim still practices at their studio to this day.
“When he got his World Championship, he gave us a plaque, and we framed it above the room that he favours, that he trains in. He’s at our studio every day that he’s in Vancouver training,” Perel-Panar said.
“He’s very intelligent. The way he’s able to incorporate everything and really, really embody the philosophy of breaking, which is a hip-hop philosophy. We respect and cherish individuality, and that’s really what sets him apart,” she added.
The pair of mentors flew to the Paris 2024 Summer Games to watch their former pupil, who they describe as family, take gold. The pair said it was a “surreal experience.”
“We’re pretty excited over here standing in the warm air of the Paris evening,” said Perel-Panar.
The duo described electric energy at the final competition and said Parisian b-boys had arranged an after-party that ran on Saturday from 12 am until 6 am Paris time.
Jheric says the breakdancing scene in B.C. is unique because breakers from across the Lower Mainland — including Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond, and Delta — all practice and compete together.
“He kind of found his style from himself practicing and training with other people. What he created for himself now is very incredible, very unique. He’s a really good dancer. He knows his vocabulary, as well. He practices a lot, he’s very hard-working, and his style came from that,” Jheric explained.
“He’s … easy to work with, and such a great guy. Very respectful, and just an overall stand-up guy.”
Jheric says Kim will be in the studio shortly after he arrives back in Vancouver, gearing up to then head to Brazil for the next competition.
