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Victor Montalvo, 28, from Orlando, FL, is undoubtedly one of many worlds most gifted breakers (that’s break dancer to you, Pappa) and not too long ago claimed the highest prize within the 2022 Red Bull BC One World Final, a contest generally known as essentially the most prestigious breaking competitors on the planet. In order to outdance his opponents for practically a decade, “Supa” Montalvo likes to remain always energetic in order that he can work on his power, agility, and endurance. And, whereas breakdancing is definitely thought of a distinct segment sport proper now, it’s also a self-discipline that’s on the ascent. With breakdancing set to be included within the Olympic Games in 2024, M&F caught up with the B-Boy to learn the way he received began, honed his craft, and have become some of the modern movers on the scene.
Congratulations on profitable the 2022 Red Bull BC One World Final. How was that have for you?
I celebrated with my spouse and my closet pals. I used to be actually nervous! Even every week earlier than the occasion, I used to be ready for it to be over. I really didn’t get to coach as onerous as I needed to. I solely had about three weeks and so they had been tremendous intense. I used to be doing a number of interval working and interval breaking, which includes a 30-minute all-out set, adopted by a 20- to 30-second relaxation. I included a number of calisthenics as properly. I went to Vegas afterwards to have an enormous celebration. I nonetheless really feel like I’m having fun with that win often because I went to Vegas, spent just a little little bit of time at residence in Los Angeles the place I stay now, then vacationed a bit in Japan, adopted by Hawaii. Now it’s again to LA to coach!
When did you first fall in love with breaking?
When I used to be 9 or 10, I keep in mind my cousin invited me over and in his room there was this music enjoying. He taught me a few strikes and I keep in mind it being actually tough, however I liked how difficult it was. The subsequent day, I used to be too shy to return so I’d stand outdoors his door listening to the music. It was one thing concerning the fashion of music that made me wish to transfer and dance. And at that age, it routinely clicked. Breaking rapidly grew to become one thing I liked doing and it got here so pure to me that ultimately it grew to become a profession.
Breakdancing is unquestionably a household affair for you, proper?
I’d observe at my cousin’s. He’d put cardboard down on the carpeted flooring and we’d simply dance. My uncle is Hector Bermudez and my dad is Victor Bermudez. They are twins who began breaking when it grew to become actually well-known within the late Eighties. They fashioned a crew with their different siblings and 5 out of the ten had been breakers. From what they instructed me, again then, they needed to hitchhike to all these occasions to fulfill up with completely different breakers and crews to battle round their metropolis, Puebla, Mexico. They stopped after they left Mexico to return to the U.S. at round 18 or 19 years of age to start out a brand new life, as a result of again in Mexico life was actually robust and it was tremendous harmful.
You had been simply 14 years previous whenever you gained your first breaking competitors. Do you could have any reminiscences of that first victory?
I keep in mind it was one of many happiest moments for me. I used to be shocked, however I labored so onerous for it. I keep in mind pals coming over wanting to hang around earlier than the competitors however I turned them down in order that I might preserve coaching. I needed to win this occasion. All of that coaching was price it for the win although!
Does breakdancing have a routine wherein you provide you with sure strikes or is it extra freestyle the place you determine what to do as you go alongside? What processes and ideas are going by your thoughts when you’re dancing?
For me, it’s extra feeling and freestyling, at first, which is how I uncover new strikes resembling my signature strikes (the ‘Super Montalvo’, which is a one-handed spin, and a back-flip-into-flare combo). But on the identical time, you want construction in the case of competing in greater occasions and competitions, resembling a Red Bull BC One or an Olympic qualifier. So, it’s half freestyle and half structured. When I’m dancing or battling, I’m actually nervous. So a lot goes by my thoughts and I can get fairly harassed. Sometimes, truthfully, I can’t watch for the occasion to finish. But on the identical time, whereas I battle, I inform myself constructive issues like ‘you’ve received this, don’t fear’ and I all the time have Plans B, C, and D, simply in case!
Breaking have to be fairly robust, from a bodily standpoint?
Once, I had a extremely dangerous again spasm that triggered a number of ache in my decrease again. I couldn’t sit or sleep and it just about damage to do something. But fortunately, considered one of my uncles is a chiropractor so he mounted me up and I used to be good to go in two weeks. Another time, I received a nasty shoulder damage. I attempted to do a transfer the place I throw myself mid-air and I’m spinning, however I unintentionally landed on my shoulder and it received actually swollen. I had a contest quickly after and needed to compete with a swollen shoulder. I additionally had water in my knees as soon as, and I wasn’t actually capable of dance. But after I have to, I nonetheless work my method round my accidents. If I get injured, I do know which elements of my physique I can’t use, and so I discover alternative ways to bounce and land strikes.
The older I get, the harder breaking turns into, so I have to preserve myself maintained. That means I’ve to eat higher, stretch extra, and be extra bodily energetic, constantly.
I keep in mind after I was youthful, I might go partying all day and get up the subsequent day to compete and carry out amazingly however I can’t try this anymore. I’ve to fall asleep early and put together myself. It’s a number of preparation, stretching, and weight loss plan.
What does your coaching regime seem like?
When it involves breaking, I prepare every single day for 2 to 4 hours, relying on how I really feel. But I’m additionally bodily energetic all through the day. I’m all the time doing one thing. I like working to the seashore or biking. Outside of break coaching, I don’t actually have a set schedule for coaching because it’s simply an all-day factor the place I like to remain energetic. I do have intense coaching periods on the Red Bull Athletic Performance Center (APC), the place the Red Bull athletes prepare. Then, on different days, I like to coach in my pals’ storage.
Break dancing requires power, pace, agility, steadiness, and endurance. What are among the strategies or workout routines that you simply incorporate to work on every facet?
Calisthenics has helped me rather a lot as a result of it helped with steadiness and power. I’ve additionally been incorporating boxing and Muay Thai to maintain issues enjoyable. The psychological facet is essential, too. Breaking may be very bodily, however for me, it’s virtually extra psychological. There’s a kind to be taught, which is the place a number of breakers, who’re caught on the bodily facet, lack coaching. You have to be taught concerning the dance and nail down your technique whenever you battle so as to be the very best.
Do you have to watch your weight as a dancer?
I attempt to eat three meals a day, my first one being a lightweight breakfast however truthfully, most of my mornings, I don’t eat. I am going straight to coaching and can eat a big meal afterwards. I drink a number of water too. Diet is de facto essential to me earlier than an enormous occasion. I steer clear of salty or sugary snacks like chips, sweet and cake. I all the time inform my spouse to not deliver any snacks into the home as a result of I’ll eat all of them! For protein, I eat a number of rooster and fish; like salmon. I do attempt to keep away from beef as a result of it makes me really feel heavy. And in fact, I eat a number of greens and drink loads of water.
Do you could have an excellent help system?
I’ve a few crews that I’m concerned with, however I observe principally with the Squadron in Los Angeles. But, more often than not, after I prepare, I’m on my own or with my spouse, who can also be a breaker. When I’m in full-on coaching mode for an enormous occasion, it’s simply me on my own, pushing myself to the restrict. It’s a privilege to be sponsored by Red Bull. Not many breakers get sponsorship alternatives. It’s superb and there are a number of advantages that Red Bull supplies their athletes. I’m capable of battle at any occasion on the earth by Red Bull and I’ve met so many superior folks by Red Bull.
How excited are you for break dancing to be a part of the 2024 Olympics?
For me, I’m simply within the second and so all I’m nervous about proper now’s the qualifiers. I’m simply hoping to qualifying and get into the Olympics. But it’s an incredible factor that breaking goes to be a part of the Olympics and I’ll hopefully symbolize the USA. I believe after the Olympics, and even earlier than, there shall be much more alternatives for breakers and extra large firms will start to sponsor breakers. I’m wanting ahead to creating much more cash by break as a profession so I can present for my household sooner or later!
Follow “Supa” Victor Montalvo on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/supamontalvo