Sunny Choi, a former gymnast from Tennessee, has defied expectations to become a member of Team USA's first-ever Olympic breakdancing team. Despite an injury-plagued gymnastics career, Choi discovered breakdancing on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, and the rest is history.
Once a promising gymnast bound for Division 1 competition, Sunny Choi's journey towards the Olympics took an unexpected turn. A series of knee injuries forced her to abandon her gymnastics ambitions, leaving her searching for a new outlet to channel her athleticism.
While attending the University of Pennsylvania, Choi stumbled upon breakdancing enthusiasts on campus. Intrigued by the physicality and the challenge it presented, she joined a club and quickly fell in love with the sport.
From Penn to Paris: Sunny Choi's Unexpected Journey to Olympic Breakdancing
"Initially, it was just being upside down and the physical challenges of breaking that I really fell in love with," Choi told Fox News Digital. "But what really kept me was the community and the creative aspect."
Despite finding her niche in breakdancing, Choi never imagined it becoming an Olympic sport. "It's not that it doesn't fit in, but it's kind of the rawness of breaking didn't match the image in my head of what the Olympics was," she explained.
From Penn to Paris: Sunny Choi's Unexpected Journey to Olympic Breakdancing
Choi balanced her passion for breakdancing with a demanding corporate job at Estée Lauder. She practiced four to six days a week, honing her skills and preparing for competitions. However, a life-changing announcement in 2022 fueled her Olympic ambitions.
"When they told me (breaking would be in the Olympics), I was like, no way," recalled Choi. "It took me quite a long time before I finally committed and then quit my job."
From Penn to Paris: Sunny Choi's Unexpected Journey to Olympic Breakdancing
In 2024, breakdancing will make its historic debut at the Olympic Games in Paris. Choi will represent Team USA alongside Victor Montalvo, Jeffery Louis, and Logan "Logistx" Edra.
The competition format will involve two days of solo performances, each scored based on the complexity and execution of the dancer's moves to music provided by a DJ.
Choi's accomplishments include a silver medal at the 2022 World Games and a gold medal at the Pan American Games. She hopes her performance in Paris will inspire others to embrace the unique and expressive nature of breakdancing.
As the Olympics draw near, Choi is experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. "I'm really excited that breaking is going to be included in the Olympics for the first time," she said. "But for me, not yet."
Choi is focused on the journey ahead, knowing that the road to the Olympics is filled with challenges and sacrifices. She remains grateful for the opportunities breakdancing has brought her and is determined to make the most of this historic moment.
Choi's journey reflects the growing recognition and acceptance of breakdancing as a legitimate sport. The inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympics is a testament to its global reach, cultural significance, and artistic value.
"I'm really excited for the culture and the community and the added exposure and, hopefully, kind of the boom in popularity for breaking post-Games," said Choi. "And so, that's going to be great."
As Sunny Choi prepares to take on the world stage in Paris, she carries the hopes and aspirations of a vibrant and evolving breakdancing community. Her story serves as an inspiration to those who dare to defy expectations and pursue their dreams.
