PEOPLE FROM all around the world have been making memes and edits of one Olympic contestant following her unique performance at the Olympic Breaking Event.
In the event’s debut, it was Japan’s Ami Yuasa and Canada’s Philip Kim that took home the gold. The internet, however, has been talking about the performance of Australia’s Rachael Gunn, otherwise known as Raygun.”
People online were confused with the dancer’s performance, as it looked different from the traditional manner of breakdancing, with one of her moves being a kangaroo dance. Following her performance, she scored a total of zero points.
It’s surprising that Raygun from Australia is the top breaker. The kangaroo move 😆—how did she make it this far?! 👀 #BreakingForGold She should’ve swapped the kangaroo for a banana to really stand out. What is this? Seriously, is breakdancing really an Olympic event? pic.twitter.com/9zKeyt1MQp
— Bites Of Net (@BitesOfNet) August 9, 2024
Others started questioning both her costuming as well as her qualifications; right now, it seems like the number one question on everyone’s minds is: “How’d she even make it into the Olympics?”
About Raygun
Outside of breakdancing, Raygun is actually a university lecturer at the Macquarie University in Sydney. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies.
Before her stint at the Olympics, she won several breakdancing competitions, such as the 2023 Oceania Breaking Championship, hence her eligibility for the Paris Olympics.
Her coach, who’s also her husband, is Samuel Free. He’s also the one who introduced her to the sport in the first place.
Free has explained in the past that Raygun trains for three to four hours a day, and she’s also mentioned that she’d pushed herself harder than ever before to prepare for her performance at the Olympics.
In the past, Raygun explained that she focuses on style and creativity over dynamics and power moves.
Regarding her performance, Raygun posted photos of herself on Instagram, which read: “Don’t be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that’s gonna take you.”
She would later go on to tell the Independent that she was simply trying to be new, different, and creative, because she felt that she couldn’t compete athletically with her younger rivals, given the fact that she’s currently 36 years old.
The Guardian also quotes Raygun in saying that all her moves are original and that creativity is really important to her.
She stated: “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.”
Since her performance at the Olympics, many have come to Raygun’s defense. Anna Meares, a former Olympic athlete and the chef de mission of the Australian team, has labeled what has happened on social media with “trolls” and “keyboard warriors” to be disappointing.
“I absolutely love her courage,” she said about Raygun.
“I love her character.”
Jeff Dunne, Australia’s representative in the men’s competition of breaking, also said: “She has been the leading breaker in Australia for the women and I acknowledge and respect her 100%.”
The head judge of the competition, Martin Gilian, also explained that breaking is about originality, bringing something new to the table, and representing your country or region – which is what Raygun was doing.
He adds that she was inspired by her surroundings, using her popular kangaroo hop as an example.
Regarding her performance, he said that he felt very sorry given her score, adding that the breaking and hip hop community are standing behind her.
Breaking to have short-lived run at Olympics
As per CBC News, the Olympic Breaking event was entirely new, making its debut during the Paris Olympics 2024. This was done as a means of attracting a younger crowd to the audience of the event, as well as to make for a more diverse fanbase.
The Economic Times also reported that the popularity of the sport was off the charts during the Paris Olympics. It has been revealed, however, that people will not be seeing it at the Olympics to be held in 2028.
They will, instead, be introducing new sports like flag football, cricket, lacrosse, and squash. It’s possible that the sport may not be coming back for at least three consecutive Olympics, with the Olympic organizers of France viewing the sport to be a novelty and not something long-term.
Many have since expressed their disappointment in this decision, especially since the next Olympics will be held in Los Angeles.
As per Yuasa, breaking was born in the United States, particularly during the mid-1970s in New York City.
In an interview with The Associated Press, she said: “I feel so sad about it not happening in Los Angeles because breaking was born in the U.S.A.. Breaking is not just a sport, it’s also expressing myself and art.”
Breaking may make a comeback in 2032, when the Olympics will be held in Brisbane, Australia, but even this has been said to be highly unlikely.
