Australian breakdancer Raygun, known off the dance floor as Rachael Gunn, has become a viral sensation following her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite her unique style sparking controversy and mockery on social media, the 36-year-old is unapologetically standing by her creative approach to breaking, a debut event at this year’s Olympic Games.
Raygun, who represented Australia in the B-Girls Round Robin event, faced stiff competition from some of the world’s top breakers, including Team USA’s b-girl Logistx, France’s Syssy, and Lithuania’s Nicka. Despite not winning her battles, Raygun’s distinctive moves caught the attention of Olympic viewers and sparked a flurry of online commentary.
Social media was abuzz with jokes and critiques, with many comparing her moves to those of a kangaroo and likening them to “what my nephew does after telling all of us to ‘watch this.’” However, Raygun remains unfazed by the criticism, maintaining that her originality and creativity are her strengths.
“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves,” Raygun told ESPN in an interview. “What I bring is creativity. All of my moves are original. Creativity is really important to me. I go out there, and I show my artistry. Sometimes it speaks to the judges, and sometimes it doesn’t. I do my thing, and it represents art. That is what it is about.”
Raygun’s bold stance is supported by Australia’s chef de mission, Anna Meares, who defended the breakdancer against what she described as sexist criticism in a sport historically dominated by men.
“I love Rachael, and I think that what has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors, and taking those comments and giving them airtime, has been really disappointing,” Meares said. “Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team. She has represented the Olympic spirit with great enthusiasm. And I absolutely love her courage. I love her character, and I feel very disappointed for her, that she has come under the attack that she has.”
Raygun’s journey to the Olympics is a testament to her determination and passion for breaking. Before discovering breaking in her 20s, Raygun was a jazz and ballroom dancer. She is also a university lecturer in Sydney, where she studies the cultural politics of breaking as part of her academic work. According to Meares, Raygun’s path has not been easy, especially as a woman in a male-dominated sport.
“In 2008, she was locked in a room crying, being involved in a male-dominated sport as the only woman, and it took great courage for her to continue on and fight for her opportunity to participate in a sport that she loved,” Meares shared. “That got her to winning the Olympic qualifying event to be here in Paris. She is the best female breakdancer that we have for Australia.”
Raygun’s story highlights the challenges faced by women in male-dominated sports and the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of criticism. As she continues to break boundaries in both the academic and breaking worlds, Raygun’s message is clear: creativity and individuality are at the heart of her artistry, and she will continue to do her thing, regardless of what the critics say.
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