Aussie B-girl Raygun Faces Mixed Reactions After Olympic Performance

Aussie breaker Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, recently made headlines after her performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Raygun took to the stage to compete against other talented b-girls from the USA, France, and Lithuania. However, her unique moves, including the kangaroo hop and a swimming motion, sparked a flurry of reactions online.

Many viewers weren’t impressed, with some jokingly asking, “There’s 27.7 million Australians in the world, and that’s who they send to the Olympics for this event? C’mon!” Others expressed their doubts about breaking being included in the Olympic lineup.

Despite the jokes and memes circulating online, it’s crucial to understand what breaking is really about. It’s a form of self-expression, offering dancers the freedom to showcase their creativity. While the top competitors dazzled with gravity-defying tricks, Raygun aimed to bring something different to the table. She admitted, “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, so I wanted to be artistic and creative.”

Raygun, who earned her spot in the Olympics by winning the Oceania Breaking Championships, has been breaking for years. She also holds a PhD and lectures on dance and gender politics at Macquarie University. Though her performance didn’t advance her past the group stage, she still represented her region with pride.

After her performance, Raygun reflected positively on the experience, stating, “What an arena, what a crowd. I’m so grateful for the opportunity.” Meanwhile, the competition continued, with Japan’s Ami Yuasa eventually winning gold in the B-girls category.