Meet the San Jose breaker vying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
Breaking may be new to the Olympics, but the activity traces its roots back to the early 1970s. | Photo by SJtoday staff
The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris could be getting a little of that 408 flavor. Breaking, or breakdancing as it’s more commonly known, will finally be making its debut at the games this summer — and San Josean Vicki Chang is vying for Team USA’s newly formed breaking team.
Let’s meet the local breaker + learn what it takes to make it to the Olympics.
Breaking onto the scene
The Leland High School alum began her breaking career at UC Berkeley, where she studied ecology and restoration sociology. In 2021, she began breaking full time. Since then, she’s been on the national stage multiple times, taking the top spot at the Undisputed Masters tournament in Los Angeles in 2022.
“One of the reasons it’s taken such a long time is because there’s a tension between whether Breaking is an art or a sport” Chang said. “It isa dance, so the artistry is subjective. But, it’s also very athletic.”
Blowup the (international) spot
“We have to win regional and national qualifiers to make it on Team USA. At the same time, we need to do international qualifiers to get international points. So we have to both be on Team USA and also rank high enough in the international qualifiers to make it to the Olympics.”
Team USA will only consist of two men and two women on the international stage, so for Vicki — who goes by the handle “La Vix” in competition — that means a lot of strenuous training sessions.
“My training consists of working out four days a week, like weightlifting, and also practicing five days a week. Recovery is really important, because I’m older, and takes up a lot more time.”
We’ll update you on Vicki’s progress and cheer on the San Jose native in the coming events.
Pokémon Trivia Night| Tuesday, Feb. 27 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden, 5027 Almaden Expy., San Jose | $8-$24 | Dress up as your favorite ‘mon or trainer and compete to be the very best like no one ever was.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Loving | Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | Free | Catch the alt-indie band, along with special guest Fog Lake.
Thursday, Feb. 29
Jerry Springer: The Opera | Thursday, Feb. 29, Friday, March 1 | 7:30 p.m. | 3 Below Theaters and Lounge, 288 S. Second St., San Jose | $25-$65 | Based on the host’s lurid television talk show that ran for 28 seasons, this production combines the highest form of art and the lowest form of pop culture.
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $18-$437 | Join Team Teal for a celebration of Black History with an all-arena player poster giveaway.
Nimesh Patel| Thursday, Feb. 29, Friday, March 1 | Times vary | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $30-$90 | You may know this SNL writer + comedian from his appearances on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”
Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 9 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | $51-$60 | This biutyful experience may not fix you, but you will be humming along to your favorite tunes in your head.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is developing a Business Resource Program. This could dole out $3 million per year to assist small businesses affected by major construction projects, like the upcoming BART stations. The VTA board will approve the program on March 7, which will take effect in June. (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
San Josean
Yara Estrada-Lowe, a San Jose born-and-raised filmmaker, made her directorial debut with “Demise,” a story of a landscaper who leads two different lives. The movie was released today on Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu. (CBS News)
Sports
Vamos San Jose... This Saturday, March 2, the Earthquakes will kick off their “This is 50" anniversary season with a match against LA Galaxy. The home opener will be at 7:30 p.m. and all fans will receive a commemorative retro Quakes flag. Tickets are still available.
Ranked
San Jose clinched the No. 4 spot in a ranking of the 25 best places to live in the US for quality of life. The US News & World Report study gave praise to SJ’s proximity to natural%20spaces + tech hubs, as well as the 300 sunny days a year we average. (KRON 4)
Biz
According to the new Silicon Valley Index 2024, hiring has slowed, but median household income has risen. From June 2022 to June 2023, Silicon Valley added 2,700 jobs — a stark contrast to the 88,000 jobs added in the previous year period. (The Mercury News)
Arts
San Jose-based artist Tomas “Wisper” Talamantes is currently working on “Paint the Town: a Mural in Action” at New Museum Los Gatos. Commissioned by Local Color, the artwork honors the Ohlone tribe that inhabited what is now Los Gatos. His next live painting session will be this Sunday, March 3. (The Mercury News)
Regional
Following this year’s SF Chinese New Year Parade and Oakland’s FanFest, BART saw a post-pandemic record. Last Saturday’s ridership numbers hit 123,636 trips, breaking the previous record of 116,000 in October 2023.
Finance
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Can you guess the mystery local? | Graphic by SJtoday staff
We’re back with another mystery person for our trivia series, “Guess the San Josean,” where we give you 3-4 hints about influential leaders, business owners, artists, and other local movers and shakers in our community.
As a reminder, we’d like to note that the term “San Josean” doesn’t just apply to people born and raised here. Any individual who has made an impact in our beloved city or has contributed to the diverse, amazing spectacle that is the great 408, we consider them a San Josean.
Are you ready? Get set, guess.
Clues:
This San Josean ran for a major public office, and when elected, she was the first woman to hold the position.
Through her leadership, San Jose would become known in the 70s and 80s as the “feminist capital of the world.”
She focused on growth in San Jose’s downtown core, running on the slogan, “Make San José better before we make it bigger.”
You think you’ve got it? Make your guess down below.
Something from Six & Main’s Brands That Give Back collection, so you can shop your favorite coffee, jewelry, cards, and tees all while knowing you’re supporting brands that make a difference. Causes include: animal rescue groups, local water based incentives, and national parks.
March is fast approaching this week, and I can’t say I’m ready for it. However, I am looking forward to traveling to Washington, D.C. at the end of the month since I’ve never been. Let me know if you have any must-see, must-eat recommendations for me.
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