SASKATOON — Asher Melanson is hoping to have the Maple Leaf waving in Senegal next year, as he tries to earn one of the 12 spots for next year’s Youth Olympic Games in the breaking event. The Youth Olympics is set from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13 in the Western African city of Dakar.
The 14-year-old, a two-time U13 Canadian national champion and a Métis Nation-Saskatchewan citizen, is looking to earn this once-in-a-lifetime experience in the 2025 World Breaking Youth Championships on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Porto, Portugal. The world championship, organized by the World DanceSport Federation, is a stepping stone to the Youth Olympics, where there are 24 spots for boys and girls available. The next event is in North America, where B-Boys battle for the one spot.
The 14-year-old Melanson, a two-time Canadian U13 champion, is the eldest of five children of Aaron and Kendra. He comes from a break-dancing family, as both of his parents and siblings are also involved in the hip-hop culture.
He told SaskToday that he needs to at least finish in the top five, which could earn him an automatic Youth Olympics spot. If not, his next shot is in the North American qualifier, which is still being finalized, possibly set early next year.
“It depends on where I finish in Portugal. I might have a chance, but there are a lot of good B-Boys competing. It doesn’t matter what country you're from; there will only be 12 slots for the Youth Olympics,” said Melanson.
Breaking Canada, under the Canad DanceSport umbrella, nominated Melanson to join the qualifying for the Youth Olympics, a sporting event for athletes between the ages of 15 and 18. It is not a competition where each country sends an athlete; instead, they need to qualify. Two of the 12 spots in the Youth Olympics are given to the host country, which Senegal enjoys as an advantage. The Top 5 finishers in the Portugal qualifier also advance, while the remaining five are for each Continent at the continent qualifier.
Melanson, with his two Canadian championships under his belt, his determination with his regular training, pointers from veteran B-Boys like Paris Olympic gold medalist Philip Kim or Phil Wizard, and a little luck, might pull off some surprises in his first international competition.
He first won the Under-13 national title when the competition was held in Vancouver in 2023, and defended his title last year at Mississauga. Breaking Canada did not have the funding to keep the nationals this year, and hopefully will get to organize the event in 2026.
“My parents were my first inspiration. I’ve been breaking for as long as I can remember. It’s been 13 years. As soon as I could bounce and walk, I danced with my parents. I think I was still in diapers,” said Melanson with a smile.
His dad said that they did not force him to try the sport, and he takes it seriously as he trains two to three times daily, either in their dance studio or a space they provided at home, following a strict diet, avoiding treats, and limiting the friends he hangs out with.
“It's mostly by him. We don't force him. He loves and enjoys breaking. He trains and works hard. This is the first time he’s ever taken training seriously. Plus, he only gets one chance to go and compete in a Youth Olympics qualifier,” Aaron added.
He will be 15 if he qualifies for the Youth Olympics, and 19 for the 2030 edition being contested by Chile, Indonesia and Thailand as host, and Melanson is going all out to qualify since this is his last chance to compete in the Youth Olympiad. In the regular Olympics, which LA is set to host in 2028, breaking was dropped. The WDSF is working for its inclusion in 2032 in Brisbane.
“You never know, maybe in 2032. It's too bad it's not included in LA, but there are a lot of big competitions in the world,” said Aaron, who has been breakdancing for almost 27 years and is the head of a breaking family. Kendra, his wife, and their four other children are also breaking.
They are busy organizing various fundraising events to help Melanson move closer to his Youth Olympics dream, as it aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action on the need for increased recognition and support for Indigenous athletes in Canada's Sport System.
For more information, to donate, be a partner, or sponsor, contact Kendra at 403-928-4749 or email roadtoyoutholympics@gmail.com.
