Sports
Australian Breakdancer Raygun Under Fire Online
Meet Rachael Gunn, a 36-year-old university lecturer from Sydney who recently found herself in the spotlight during the Paris Olympic Games. Known by her stage name Raygun, she took part in the new breakdancing competition that made its Olympic debut this year.
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Instead of focusing on traditional breakdancing moves, Raygun decided to showcase her unique style, which she described as creative and artistic. One of her most talked-about moves was the so-called ‘kangaroo hop,’ which quickly drew both eyes and criticism online.
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Sadly for Raygun, her originality didn’t score any points. She lost all her round-robin battles and was eliminated early in the competition. This disappointing outcome, paired with her unorthodox performances, led to a wave of trolling and harsh comments on social media.
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Some internet users mocked her dancing, questioning how she even qualified for the Olympics in the first place. However, there were also those who praised her for being brave enough to stand out in a sea of conventional performances.
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In the midst of the online storm, Australia’s Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, stepped up to defend Raygun. She noted that the trolling was unnecessary and highlighted Gunn’s courage and hard work as a female athlete in a challenging sport.
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Despite the backlash, Raygun chose to remain positive. On her Instagram, she encouraged others to embrace their individuality, sharing that she entered the competition to bring something different to the stage rather than just trying to win with power moves.