Sunny Choi

Sunny Choi, known in the breaking community as B-Girl Sunny, is an American breakdancer and Olympic athlete recognized for her pioneering role in competitive breaking. Choi competed in the inaugural breaking competition at the Summer Olympics, reaching this milestone through an unconventional path. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, enrolling in Wharton Business School, where she discovered breaking after encountering campus dancers. Choi's background in competitive gymnastics, where she trained up to 25 hours per week during her youth, provided a strong physical foundation for the athletic demands of breakdancing.

Before dedicating herself to breaking full-time, Choi held marketing and project management roles in the corporate sector, including serving as director of global creative operations at Estée Lauder. Although initially uncertain about balancing her corporate responsibilities with the demands of elite competition, Choi achieved a silver medal in the B-Girls event at the World Games dancesport competition. She later left her corporate position to focus on breaking, a decision that led to her winning the gold medal for breaking at the Pan American Games, qualifying her for the Olympic Games and making her the first American woman to do so.

Choi's journey highlights both athletic achievement and mental resilience. She has spoken openly about her experiences with depression since adolescence and the importance of mental health care in her preparation and performance. Choi credits talk therapy as a significant factor in her ability to perform at the highest level, emphasizing that emotional well-being is as critical as physical conditioning. She has identified mental health and self-care as central to her training, allowing her to address insecurities and enhance her personal style in breaking.

Choi has appeared in television interviews and features, including a segment on the "3rd Hour of Today," where she discussed her transition from a corporate career to competitive breakdancing. During Olympic competition, commentators noted her energetic and joyful approach to breaking. As an advocate for the sport's growth and cultural heritage, Choi has expressed her belief that the Olympic stage can introduce breaking to new audiences. She continues to work toward building community and expanding access to breaking, including plans to open a breaking center in Queens.