Inspired by Olympic debut, Japanese seniors lead the way in breakdancing

A 74-year-old surfer and master of classical Japanese dance may seem an unlikely member of a senior breakdancing group, but Kiyoshie Saruwaka says taking up the sport was a no-brainer after she was confirmed for the Paris 2024 Games.

As a restless teenager, Saruwaka fell in love with surfing and wondered why it wasn’t an Olympic sport, until he finally secured his spot at Tokyo 2020.

“And now the break is going to be added in Paris, and Japan even has a gold medal contender,” said Saruwaka, who placed second in a local surfing contest and still rides the waves for fun, at home in Tokyo.