Rachael "Raygun" Gunn Bows Out of Competitive Breaking After Olympic Backlash
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, famously known as "Raygun," recently announced her retirement from competitive breaking. Gunn, who rose to international attention during her debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics, endured harsh online backlash due to her unconventional moves and low scores. As the Olympics brought breaking to a global stage for the first time, her routine — which included lighthearted moves like the sprinkler and a kangaroo hop — became an unexpected sensation on social media. Although Gunn’s unique style garnered both amusement and criticism, the ensuing media storm pushed her to make a difficult decision: to step away from competition for good.
Gunn’s Olympic experience was bittersweet. While her performance became a viral topic, it also sparked conspiracy theories questioning her qualifications and stirred a fierce debate over the suitability of breaking in the Olympics. Some spectators even accused her of manipulating her selection, despite Gunn having qualified by winning the 2023 Oceania Championships. The unexpected vitriol, paired with a flood of negative messages, left her feeling exposed and ultimately disillusioned with the sport she loves. During an interview on Australia’s 2DayFM, Gunn admitted, “I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was.” The constant scrutiny, particularly in an online world where every performance is captured, re-posted, and criticized, made the idea of future competitions daunting. Gunn explained that competing now “seems really difficult,” as she feared the intense level of public critique would overshadow the joy she finds in breaking.
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Although Gunn’s Olympic performance didn’t lead her to the podium, it sparked discussions in the dance community and beyond. Notably, some fans and celebrities voiced support for her, including Adele, who named Gunn’s routine as her “favorite thing” from the Olympics during a concert. Nonetheless, the mixed reactions within the breaking community highlighted an ongoing tension: Can a creative, expressive art form like breaking fit within the rigid structures of Olympic competition?
After a trying experience at the Games, Gunn decided to refocus on dance in a way that feels genuine and joyful. She’s still dancing, but in a far more private setting, enjoying the art form with her partner at home rather than under the spotlight of global competition. While she’s moving away from competitive breaking, she’s not leaving the dance community entirely. Recently, Gunn launched the #RaygunChallenge, encouraging dancers around the world to showcase their skills on social media. The challenge has already drawn significant attention, offering prizes to solo dancers and groups who participate.
Though her competitive days are over, Gunn remains a trailblazer in breaking, inspiring dancers to embrace their own styles, even in the face of criticism. For Gunn, the Paris Olympics may have marked the end of her competitive journey, but it also reaffirmed her commitment to the core values of dance — joy, freedom, and self-expression — away from the public eye.
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