Few sporting events are as deeply etched in the American psyche as the Kentucky Derby and all the events that preceded it.
For a brief moment, a humble horse becomes a celebrity, vying for position on the circuit in hopes of winning the competition.
But it's not just horses that are in the spotlight. From jockeys and trainers to race starters, many people are in the spotlight.
The Kentucky Oaks, the 2024 filly-only race that is the precursor to this year's Run for the Roses, will feature rising star American Olympic breaker Sunny Choi.
Here's what you need to know about Choi, who is making the “Riders Up” call for this year's Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
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Who is Sunny Choi?
Choi, known by her “B-girl” name “Sunny,” is a member of Team USA's Olympic Breaking Squad. A native of Cookeville, Tennessee, Choi didn't grow up breakdancing. Rather, she started breakdancing in college when she joined her club during her freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania.
Over the next few years, Choi developed his technique. She moved to Queens in 2012 and took a job as Estée Lauder's Director of Global Creative Her Operations. But Choi couldn't help but pursue her dream of traveling from one end of the world to the other.
“The great thing about breaking is that you get to be your authentic self. No one tells you what you're supposed to be while you're dancing,” Choi said, according to Time magazine.
In 2019, Choi won a silver medal at the World Breaking Championship. She continued her participation at the highest level and juggled her work responsibilities with her duties. But she had something to give. Immediately after winning the runner-up position at the 2022 World Games, Choi retired from Estée Lauder.
She quickly proved her choice to be the right one as she was selected to Team USA's first Olympic breaking roster.
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What does it mean to break?
Breaking refers to the performing art of breakdancing, a rhythmic dance form that emerged among enclaves of African American and Latino youth in the South Bronx in the 1960s and 1970s.
From a dance form to an Olympic sport, the sport incorporates many influences, including the Lindy Hop (a 1920s Harlem-based jig), Capoeira, and, most famously, James Brown.
Historian Alice Echols wrote in 2008 that “there was no mistaking the street-strutting, tough-looking James Brown for the Temptations. Their dance steps were taken from the street, but they were a cross-over black entertainer. It had a characteristic supper club glow.” Brown was particularly noted for his “lack of self-control” when slaloming around the dance floor.
Breaking is defined by a lack of discipline. It's a largely improvisational routine, complete with feints, freezes, and power moves.
For much of its early existence, choreography was tied to its birthplace, the South Bronx. However, breaks went mainstream after popular musicians, including Michael Jackson, adopted this art form. It has held its place in the world's consciousness for decades since then.
“Blake comes from the black and brown communities of the Bronx,” Choi said. “And in the case of the Olympics, we know they're not going to get all the money. It's our responsibility as first breakers to keep this in mind. I think.”
Is breaking an Olympic sport?
Breaking will make its Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games. It was adopted as a competition at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. Now, it has been adopted as a new Olympic sport, and it is once again in the spotlight.
Breaking is the only new sport to make its debut in Paris, but it will also receive the highest payout from the International Olympic Committee, along with new skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing events debuting in 2021.
When are the Paris Olympics in 2024?
The 2024 Paris Olympics will take place from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, August 11th.
