Breaking Out: Houston’s Own Jeffrey Louis Breaks in 2024 Olympics

Ranked as the number five breaker in the world, Houston native Jeffrey Louis, aka “B-boy Jeffro,” is one of four breakers representing the U.S. in the first-ever Olympic breaking competition. Starting in the 1970s, breaking has been a relatively underground sport – but the competitions this weekend will bring it to a global audience. 

Jeffrey was introduced to breaking by his older brother, Kenny, who started taking a breaking class when he was in eighth grade at West Briar Middle School. He would learn the moves in class, and then come home and teach Jeffrey. Even though Jeffrey was three and a half years younger, “He was able to also get it that same day, and maybe in a shorter time,” Kenny says. “I always thought he was good. I always thought he was a really fast learner.” 

Their middle brother, Pierry, one year older than Jeffrey, also became interested. Among their five siblings, the three boys were a tight group. Kenny explained, “All three of us were close in age, and basically wherever I go, you know, they just go with me. And that's just what it was.” 

It became a constant in their lives, as their father Sony explained. The boys practiced in the living room, or by their garage, on cement. They’d scratch their knee or their arm, and Sony laughs when he says how they just kept going; they wouldn’t stop until they could do the move perfectly. 

Jeffrey joined the breaking class and team when he started at West Briar Middle. Later, all three boys attended Westside High School and joined Inertia Dance Company, a highly regarded and globally renowned hip-hop/breaking team. Rodrigo “Drigo” Leal, assistant director of Inertia at the time, first met Jeffrey when he was in seventh grade: “I've seen him since he was a young tyke, and he's always had a smile, and he's always been flying.” Drigo recounts how, when Jeffrey auditioned as an eighth grader, he was better than all the high schoolers: “He showed up to the audition and blew the judges away.” 

Their father Sony realized the depths of their talents when the boys went to China to compete as part of Inertia. Their mom was worried about them traveling internationally – Jeffrey was only a freshman – but Sony encouraged them. It was a big moment for him, watching them dance internationally: “When they send a video when they’re over there, and they’re doing good – I mean, that makes you really, really proud.”

The three Louis brothers (from left): Pierry, Jeffrey, and Kenny.

Now 29, Jeffrey has graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in kinesiology, and started his own company, FitBreak, which integrates breaking into fitness. But he never stopped breaking, and he never stopped competing.  

Jeffrey credits Houston for his unique dancing style: a byproduct of growing up among vibrant cultures, music, and communities. His father remembers taking Jeffrey and his brothers to a breaking show when they were around the ages of 5-7: “They did see it was something they could do, as small kids.” From dancing at quinceañeras to breaking battles, they experimented with blending styles together.

Jeffrey roots his success here, saying, “My achievements are tied to the endless inspirations Houston has to offer.”

Jeffrey Louis with Pin Oak Middle School’s The Crew. Breaking team The Crew is directed by Rodrigo, “Drigo” Leal, the former assistant director of Inertia.

His Houston family and community couldn’t be prouder. Rodrigo “Drigo” Leal, who now directs Pin Oak Middle School's The Crew, says, “It was my privilege to be able to see him grow. It's been crazy… [to] see him, you know, I used to drop those kids off all the time, and they'd be like, hey, can we stop at McDonald's for the dollar menu? And I'd be like, yes, of course. But to see them now... on the grand stage – the growth, it's been a pleasure to watch, you know.”

The people who have been there since the beginning know it’s not just one thing that led to Jeffrey’s success – it’s talent, but it’s also diligence, practicing over and over to nail the moves every time. Older brother Kenny says, “I’ve seen how much he’s worked, but I also know that he had something in him that was already special.” Drigo remarks: “Great kid. From a great kid to a great man, you know.”

Sony, who will be watching from the Olympic Stadium, along with mom Manita, brother Pierry, and several other family members, says he’ll be cheering Jeffrey on the same way he always does: “Me, I’m always yelling a lot.” We will be too. 

Jeffrey, flipping in the streets of Paris before the Olympics. Former coach Drigo Leal notes, “He's always had a smile, and he's always been flying.” (Photo: @littleshao)

The 2024 Olympic breaking competitions will be held on Friday, Aug. 9, and Sat., Aug 10. The "B-Girls" (women’s) competition will be held on Friday, starting at 9 a.m. (CST). The "B-Boys" (men’s) competition will be held on Saturday, also starting at 9 a.m. On both days, the schedule is as follows: Round Robin, 9 a.m.; Quarterfinals, 1 p.m.; Semifinals, 1:45 p.m.; Finals: 2:14 p.m. 

Dance Houston is hosting a watch party for B-boy Jeffro. Wear your red, white, and blue and join at Buffalo Wild Wings on the Katy Freeway (9435 Katy Freeway) this Saturday, starting with the Quarterfinals at 1 p.m. The POST is also showing the majority of the Olympic games on two transparent 16’ x 10’ LED TV screens suspended from the ceiling. 

Stream live coverage, highlights and commentary on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Olympics app, and the NBC app. For those with cable, Olympic coverage will air on NBC, USA Network, GOLF Channel, CNBC and E!.