He may be just 12, but Dundee lad Harper McBride already has seven years of breakdancing under his belt.
And now the talented youngster is dreaming of going for gold after learning the activity could be included in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Breakdancing is among four sports organisers are proposing to the International Olympic Committee.
The others — surfing, climbing and skateboarding — are set to debut at Tokyo 2020, but 2024 would mark the first time for breakdancing.
Harper, a pupil at St Paul’s RC Academy, said the possibility had given him something to aim for.
“I think it will be too early for me to take part in the 2024 one, but I will be watching it keenly and keeping an eye on the future,” he said.
“If I train hard enough and am lucky enough I would love to be in the Olympics. I know how hard that would be but I would love to be able to take part.”
Harper was just three when he started dancing. His teacher introduced him to the world of breakdancing at the age of five.
Seven years in and his love for it has not dissipated.
“I’m not bored of it yet,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing that a lot of other young boys and girls should get into. A lot of them are just into Xbox, but getting out and doing breakdancing is much better, I think.
“It’s easy to get into, but there is so much more for you to get into as you develop different styles.
“I went to a competition in Derby in 2017 and that was a real eye opener. There are so many styles out there. I came in the top eight, so technically I am in the top eight breakdancers in the country.”
Harper’s mum Arlene said the possibility of breakdancing being included at the Olympics had given her son a real boost.
She said: “There’s been a buzz in the breakdancing community about it. I think some of the aficionados will think some of the culture will be lost, but we’ve heard nothing but 100% support for it.
“It could bring some funding to it, as everything we do is self-funded at the moment.
“It’s a lot of money. I’m committed as much as Harper is.”
