Paris, France – Breakdancing, known as “Breaking,” is set to make its debut as an Olympic sport during the 2024 Paris Games, and one particular breakdancer from Houston, Texas is capturing the spotlight. Jeffrey Louis, also known as B-Boy Jeffro, is garnering attention with his gravity-defying moves and unique style, drawing on his diverse cultural influences from growing up in Houston.
Louis, a 29-year-old talent from Alief who attended Westside High School and the University of Houston, is widely regarded as one of the best breakdancers globally. He credits his upbringing in Houston for shaping his distinctive approach to the art form, which he learned from his older brother and has since honed through international competitions.
Despite his growing success and acclaim on the global stage, Louis remains humble about his achievements, expressing surprise at being considered a top contender for a gold medal in the upcoming Olympic Games. His focus, however, is not solely on winning but on how he can contribute to the further recognition and appreciation of breakdancing and its cultural significance.
With “Breaking” poised to enter the Olympic arena, Louis highlights the opportunity for broader education and awareness about the art form, emphasizing the life skills and diversity it embodies. He sees the inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympics as a platform to showcase the vibrancy and celebratory nature of the dance, offering a unique addition to the Games.
As Louis competes for a spot on Team USA in the men’s breaking category, the qualification process will culminate in the Olympic Qualifier Series in June, where his fate will be decided. The competition format for “Breaking” at the Olympics entails a series of one-on-one battles, judged on criteria such as creativity, technique, and musicality, with performativity and creativity holding significant weight in the scoring.
The Olympic breaking competitions are scheduled for August 9 and 10 at La Concorde Urban Park in Paris, with 16 men and 16 women set to showcase their skills in an electrifying display of talent. With a spectator capacity of 25,000, the breaking competition promises to be a dynamic and exhilarating addition to the Olympic lineup, offering a unique blend of athleticism, artistry, and cultural expression on a global stage.