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- Rachael “Raygun” Gunn represents Australia as a B-girl in Olympic breaking competitions.
- Despite not winning any round-robin battles, her performances gained significant viral attention online.
- Here are key insights about Gunn, who combines her passion for dance with academic pursuits in breaking.
The sport of breaking made its inaugural appearance during the 2024 Paris Olympics. While Australian dancer Rachael Gunn—widely recognized by her nickname Raygun—didn’t secure a medal, she garnered considerable acclaim in the digital realm.
An educator based at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, the 36-year-old’s scholarly work concentrates on “cultural politics of breaking,” as outlined in her academic profile.
Unfortunately for Gunn, her journey at this prestigious event was brief. She faced elimination during the women’s breaking round-robin segment after defeats to competitors including Logistx from the U.S., Syssy from France, and Nicka representing Lithuania.
While she did not score points during these contests, snippets of her routines went viral online—propelling her into instant internet meme fame.
my dog on the lawn 30 seconds after i've finished bathing him pic.twitter.com/A5aqxIbV3H
— David Mack (@davidmackau) August 9, 2024
This article provides crucial information about Raygun now that she has concluded participation in breaking events.
An Academic Perspective on Breaking: Raygun’s Dual Role
Prior to competing at the Olympics, Gunn adopted an analytical approach towards this groundbreaking event. Alongside coauthor Lucas Marie, she contributed to a June 2023 edition of Global Hip Hop Studies, publishing a paper titled “The Australian Breaking Scene and Its Dynamics Within Olympic Contexts.” This research delved into how such institutional changes could reshape Australia’s scene around break dancing.
Apart from being an academic figurehead—Gunn is also an active competitor. Her background includes training in various styles like ballroom dancing and jazz before diving deeper into diverse forms such as hip-hop and salsa—a fact highlighted by The Australian Women’s Weekly. Introduced to breaking by husband Samuel Free back in university days (2008), he remains aglobal presence for guidance even now as coach-advisor for competitive events.
“I got hooked onto breaking around 2012,” expressed Gunn while reflecting upon how it coincided with starting doctoral studies related to cultural narratives within dance practices. By officially commencing more serious competitions since 2018 led Morganess optical ambitions placing focus towards contributing representations via Olympics platforms onwards!
As per current rankings noted through credible sources associated with educational planes administered under university systems—she clinched top B-Girl status within The Australian Breaking Association throughout both years (instructive analysis conducted between periods listed: overlapping through competitive presentations across spectacles like World DanceSport Federation’s Championships held respectively across various occasions leading up firstly thru end cycles designated specifically Thus showcasing qualifying leaders linked domestically!). Furthermore highlighting victories attested within collective registrations participated under Oceania Championships recorded recently marked chapters along anticipated futures bound evolving far-reaching attributes promotes positive morale outcomes effectively reconstructing aspirations internationally paving pathways farther ahead too!
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The Reaction to Raygun’s Performances: Memes and Critique
Dressed prominently displaying Australia’s iconic green-and-yellow hues while assuming distinct postures mimicking kangaroos reflects dynamic subtleties through performance articulating personal narratives unique interactions viewing audiences afford connection readily fostering engagement thoughtfully responded streamlines benefits alongside glitterati surrounding social media engagements parallel dynamics flooding immense opportunities creating spaces enthralling conversation captivating worldwide people versus trends encouraging alterations denouncing limitations applying critical lenses observing real-world practitioners dynamically navigating multilayer interactions fueling samplings cultures shouldering broader criticisms levied upon whole experience located concurrently challenging circumstances forge resilience create elevated dialogues inviting interpretations many threshold dimensions layered stories routed organically anchored wisdom redirect participating effectively reshaping realities collectively steering results forth enhancing evolvability together advancing progressive frontiers redefined strongly capturing asynchronous feedback differentiating academia artworks thus availing insights learnings merging signals amplifying alertness utilizing literatures rely underpinning expansions cross associational violet blooming vivid realms delicately orchestrated contemplating futures ought embrace vibrancy illuminating entrepreneurship encouraged “““html However, certain critics expressed that Raygun’s performance did not authentically represent breakdancing—a discipline that faces exclusion from the Los Angeles Games in 2028. The origins of breaking trace back to Black and brown communities in the Bronx during the vibrant era of the 1970s. Malik Dixon, an African American resident of Australia, remarked to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Gunn appeared as if she was trivializing a significant cultural moment for this sport. (For those interested, complete performances from Raygun and all other Olympic events from 2024 can be viewed on Peacock.) Breaking at the Olympics had three different pathways for qualification as outlined by the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) back in April 2022: participating in a WDSF championship held in Belgium in September of 2023, entering through a continental qualifier event or competing as part of an Olympic qualifier series scheduled for early 2024. Gunn made her way onto this elite stage by clinching victory at the WDSF Oceania Breaking Championships conducted in Sydney during October of last year. A few claims have emerged online suggesting Gunn secured her Olympic position through improper means. A noteworthy petition has been launched arguing that she played a role within the governing body overseeing her selection process. Furthermore, additional concerns voiced online indicated that her husband Free served as one of the judges on this panel. Ausbreaking’s organization , according to reports by WDSF confirmed their role as hosts for these Oceania Championships—Gunn did not create this association. In fact, according to a publication on August’s issues from *Sydney Morning Herald*, prominent breaker Lowe Napalan founded Ausbreaking back in its initial iteration known as Australian Breaking Association about five years ago. The official website indicates neither Raygun nor Free hold positions on Ausbreaking’s executive or committee board. According to posts shared by Ausbreaking via Instagram around September last year about their Oceanic qualifying event—we saw news released announcing open registration opportunities for contenders on September twenty-fifth.Raygun Secures Her Olympic Spot via Oceania Breaking Championships
Image Credit: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
The judging panel included ten international breakers led under head judge Katsu One hailing from Japan—Free did not participate among them regarding adjudications within these tasks.
*Sydney Morning Herald* highlighted Raygun showcased exceptional talent emerging with top scores throughout day one of competitions ahead—the final pairings leading towards securing victory across subsequent brawls granted her both accolades and entry into next year’s Paris Summer Games.”
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Ausbreaking made an official announcement on Instagram this past Monday regarding the selection criteria for a major event, emphasizing that the qualifying competition was “accessible to all interested individuals across the Oceanic region.” This event adhered to WDSF protocols and was evaluated by an international judging panel employing the same scoring methods as those in use for the 2024 Olympic Games.
The statement highlighted that Rachael Gunn and Jeff Dunne were recognized as the standout competitors through this identical procedure, earning their places to represent Australia in Paris. “Their inclusion was determined exclusively by their performances during their matches on that day,” it reported.
Support for Raygun’s Olympic Showdown
Following Gunn’s performance over the weekend, Anna Meares, head of Australia’s Olympic delegation, addressed online backlash directed at Gunn during a press gathering on Saturday.
“Rachael is someone I hold in high regard. It’s disheartening to see her face such negativity from internet trolls and keyboard critics,” Meares stated according to reports from ESPN. “Raygun is a dearly appreciated member of our squad, embodying both Olympic ideals with great passion. I truly admire her bravery,” she continued. “It’s disappointing to witness her endure these kinds of attacks.”
Hector Vivas/Getty Images
On Sunday at another press conference, Martin Gilian—the chief judge for breaking at the Olympics—defended Gunn’s artistry during her performance by asserting that breaking emphasizes creativity and authenticity of expression based on one’s heritage. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported his remarks.
“Raygun epitomized this spirit perfectly—she drew inspiration from her environment, such as incorporating movements inspired by a kangaroo,” Gilian noted.
In reflection during Saturday’s media session, Gunn expressed confidence in her originality: “All my moves come from my own imagination,” she affirmed to The Guardian. She emphasized how vital creative expression was throughout this experience: “I knew I might not outdo others in terms of power moves or dynamism; instead, I aimed to showcase my artistic side.” She added enthusiastically about seizing rare opportunities like performing on an esteemed global stage: “Being seen as an underdog fueled my desire—to distinctively leave my mark.”
