"Old School" B-Boy Hongten dreaming of epic breaking career finale at Paris 2024
Legendary B-Boy Hongten tells Olympics.com about being the oldest B-Boy on the road to Paris 2024, his rivals, the evolution of breaking since he started the sport in the 1990s, and his Olympic dream.
Kim Hongyul, better known as B-Boy Hongten, has two unique distinctions on the Olympic breaking scene: being the oldest and the most decorated B-Boy.
“I’m over 20 years older than several boys. However, it is a very intriguing situation as I feel my stamina surpasses anyone else’s,” the Repubic of Korea B-Boy, born in 1984, told Olympics.com. “My opponents might wonder ‘Why is he still here?’ I’m relishing this situation to the fullest."
The-39-year-old has swept titles at major breaking competitions including BC One, Battle of the Year, R16 World Final, Freestyle sessions, and the UK B-Boy Championships since 2002.
Reigning European champion, Dutch B-Boy Menno (Menno van Gorp), who shares the record with Hongten for winning the prestigious BC One competition three times, describes him as the GOAT.
“I’m the one of the oldest competitors here right now, and Hongten was up there when I started breaking,” Menno said. "Hongten has been at the top for 20 years. It is hard to reach the top, but staying there for that long is even harder. I think nobody has managed that like he has."
Hongten is now focusing on winning each upcoming battle in the hopes of adding “Olympian” and possibly, “Olympic medallist”, to his resume. He entered the race for Paris 2024 quotas last April in what was a last-minute decision.
“I became very curious about the Olympics, but a complicated journey made me doubtful, wondering ‘Can I really go there?’ In the end, it even affected my confidence," he said. “However, I decided to take on the challenge, even if I’m uncertain about success. What I achieved remains in my past. When I think about my new career, I aspire to perform at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.”
The Republic of Korea's legendary B-Boy finished fourth at the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) in Shanghai, the People’s Republic of China in May - a two-stage, last qualifier event for Paris 2024. However, he still picked up 38 out of a possible 50 points and is now aiming to place higher at the second OQS stage, which is taking place in Budapest, Hungary from 20 to 23 June.
More breaking, more difficulty: The motivation behind Hongten's battles
Hongten made his first appearance on the global breaking scene in 2001 and is now competing against new millennium dancers like the inaugural Asian Games champion Shigekix (Narakai Shigeyuki) of Japan, born in 2002.
Curiously, the more difficult dancing becomes for the veteran B-Boy over time, the more he is drawn to it.
“I definitely encounter moments when I would like to quit and I get sick of dancing, but the main reason why I can’t stop it is that breaking is getting more difficult for me,” he explained. “The most interesting part is that other B-Boys, including my close friend Phil Wizard (Canada's Philip Kim), also feel a sense of empathy with me.”
Long-time friends B-Boy Hongten and B-Boy Phil Wizard went to battle - on the dance floor - in 2023.
Is it not challenging for Hongten to have so many battles with the same, usually younger opponents throughout the years?
“Well, it depends on the battles. Sometimes, we enjoy dancing against old friends in a comfortable mood, but other times, it gives us more fire,” Hongten said.
“I would say Victor, Phil Wizard and Menno are the ones who can definitely make a difference and never let go of what they’ve decided to achieve. They are not easy to beat, for sure. However, it can be even trickier to face rookies.
“Young boys like Shigekix are, of course, skillful, but more than anything else, they are full of spirit.”
The evolution of breaking: Multi-dimensional moves
Breaking is an urban dance style that originated in New York's Bronx neighbourhood during the 1970s as a part of hip-hop culture.
“I’m part of the old school now, as my generation is the most seasoned,” said Hongten, who started dancing in middle school in the 1990s and later quit high school to dance around the globe.
Throughout Hongten's time in the sport, breaking has continued to evolve as each generation cought up, and usually surpassed, the previous one.
“As time goes by, breakers have effortlessly executed moves that I once thought were impossible,” Hongten said. “Moves have become multi-dimensional these days. For example, in our generation, the moves were two-dimensional, like clockwise rotations. Now, I can feel and see height in modern techniques.”
For Hongten, the most important aspect of breaking is originality, which is one of the five categories (together with musicality, vocabulary, technique and execution) in the breaking judging system.
“In dance, we constantly battle with the definition of good dance. Who decides that? It is very subjective,” said Hongten, who himself boasts a long list of signature moves, including the Hong 10 Freeze. “I have concluded that those who showcase their own moves and style are the true winners, regardless of the battle results.”
Paris 2024: “It will be the perfect finale for my last dance and career high”
Hongten has already tasted victory in Paris, winning his third BC One title in 10 years at the Roland-Garros Stadium in 2023. He earlier won in 2006 and 2013.
“I thought that if I beat home favourite B-Boy Dany (Danis Civil) in the semis, I would reach the final for sure,” said Hongten, who ultimately defeated 2023 Pan American Games champion Phil Wizard in the final.
“When I look back at my preparations for Paris 2024, I realise I have never danced this hard. In particular, the Asian Games was my turning point,” the Asian Games silver medallist continued. “Becoming a flagbearer for Team Korea at the closing ceremony in Hangzhou was an honour. Since then, many people have recognised me, giving me one more reason to stay on the stage.”
B-Boy Hongten took the silver medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the People's Republic of China.
What does the Olympic Games mean for his 26-year-old breaking career?
“There is no other platform that offers such global exposure except the Olympics. If I get this once-in-a-lifetime chance, I will do everything I can to make it to the podium. It will be the perfect finale for my last dance and a career high,” he said.
Breaking's Olympic debut will take place in La Condcorde and feature 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls who will face off in one-on-one battles on 9 and 10 August 2024.