Who is Australian breakdancer Raygun? All about viral Olympic sensation Rachael Gunn
RAYGUN is the controversial breakdancer who shocked viewers with her unique approach to the sport, at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
But who is the Australian breakdancer and what has she said about her controversial performance?
Who is Raygun?
Raygun is the stage name of Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn.
Born on September 2, 1987, Raygun’s life revolves around dancing both on stage and in the classroom.
When she’s not dancing, she is an academic who researches the societal roots of “breaking” culture.
She began dancing when she was in her mid-twenties, during the 2010s, before pausing her dancing career to focus on her PhD.
With the support of her husband, a fellow breakdancer, she quickly made a name for herself in Australian breakdancing circles.
How did Raygun qualify for the Paris Olympics?
Raygun’s routine was very different to those of her competitors, as she decided to approach the competition with a more abstract style.
She is, however, the top breakdancer in Australia and qualified on the basis of that skill at the WDSF Oceania Breaking Championships.
Her academic experience with the sport helped her out too, as she blended various “breaking” styles to qualify for breakdancing’s first Olympic appearance.
What happened to Raygun at the Paris Olympics?
The Olympic dream quickly fell apart for Raygun, as she lost all three of her round-robin battles with a score of 18-0.
She faced off against Lithuania, the USA and France but just could not overcome her competition.
Japan went on to win the gold in the new sport.
Her routine received a lot of online ridicule, as Raygun decided to break from convention and create a unique routine.
This led fans to give her moves names such as “the kangaroo”.
Others drew compared her dancing to a toddler.
Breakdancing will not be returning to the Olympics at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, but Raygun hopes the sport will return when her home country hosts the Games in 2032.
What has Raygun said about her performance at the Paris Olympics?
Raygun hit back against online critics, who poked fun at her outfit choice at the Paris Olympics.
She wore an Australian tracksuit, with a gold and green design, instead of the more streetwear style adopted by her competitors.
The breakdancer took to Instagram to say: “Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the bboys wear tomorrow.”
After her performance at the Olympics, Raygun also spoke about her unique style of dance.
She said: “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?
“I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way.”