As a former athlete myself, I can truly appreciate the spirit and determination that Raygun Gunn has shown at the Olympics. Despite not winning on an Olympic level, her performance was far from embarrassing for herself or her country. In fact, her unique approach to breaking, inspired by her native kangaroo, showcased a level of creativity and artistry that is truly commendable.
Currently, does anyone recall which athlete clinched the gold medal in women’s breaking event during the 2024 Olympics?
For the record, that was Ami Yuasa, a.k.a. B-Girl Ami, of Japan.
However, it is Australia’s Rachael Gunn, also known as B-Girl Raygun, who has captured the Internet’s attention in a unique way during the Paris Games. Instead of seeking popularity on social media as one might expect, she gained notoriety for a reason that typically goes against an athlete’s desire to trend.
1) In a post from August 9th, someone commented about Gunn’s dance performance at the event opening round robin: “I made my mom watch the poolside dance I choreographed, but it wasn’t as amusing as what RayGun did.” Another person added, “I can’t help but feel a bit sorry for RayGun, the Australian contender for gold—but that performance was preposterously funny.”
It appears that Snoop Dogg, who seems to serve as an unofficial emissary of joy, supported the collective criticism by posting a montage of various Olympic rule-breakers on his Instagram account on August 12, with the caption, “This was the genuine article!!! Respect.”
It goes without saying that Gunn’s actions were deemed unsuitable for any moment, let alone the Olympic stage.
Moreover, it’s important to note that she didn’t receive a single point from the panel of experts who were judging the competition among the 16 women and 16 men. In fact, during the three battles, her opponents consistently won with scores of 18-0. This suggests that the general audience at home wasn’t the only ones finding her performances unimpressive.
People were curious to learn: In what capacity did Gunn, a 36-year-old educator who teaches media and creative industries at Macquarie University in Sydney, manage to qualify for the Olympics?
1. People have various opinions on this matter. The most extreme viewpoint suggests that the situation was rigged due to Gunn’s connections with influential individuals. On the other hand, some are of the belief that her actions in Paris were less about pursuing Olympic success and more about a form of artistic expression.
The August 12 post stated, “Raygun will be remembered as the most triumphant trickster in Olympic history.” It’s fascinating to ponder how she managed to become an Olympian for her nation despite having no apparent talent or ability in what she was competing in. I’d love to see a film about her journey.
In the meantime, we’re untangling the stories people have been telling about Raygun:
Are B-Girl Raygun and her husband in charge of the organization that selected Australia’s breaking team for the 2024 Olympics?
Simply, no. They are not.
As an ardent follower, I couldn’t help but get swept up in the buzz surrounding the intricate conspiracy theory that sparked from the depths of Reddit and rapidly spread across social media platforms like wildfire.
Charles Arthur penned down an astonishing piece on the 12th of X, stating that the story wasn’t factual. Neither Gunn nor her husband, Samuel Free, are founders or board members of AusBreak. It seems some people are spreading claims that don’t hold up to a simple fact-check.
According to its official site, AUSBreak aims to foster and encourage the development of the Australian Breakdancing and Hip Hop scene. However, neither Free nor Gun appear on their executive team or committee.
The initial summary, which caused some concern, stated that as there is no global organization responsible for breaking, the International Olympic Committee had to rely on the World DanceSport Federation’s Australian affiliate, DanceSport Australia, to assemble an athletic team.
Originally focused on ballroom dancing (with advocates striving to include it in the Olympics for many years), the WDSF was a well-established group up until 2022. Later on, DanceSport Australia reached out to recognized breaking expert Gunn, who had written her PhD thesis on the influence of gender within Sydney’s breaking dance community, for advice, as per an unverified claim.
Initially suspected to be linked to AUSBreaking, an organization she and her husband reportedly established, Gunn unexpectedly secured a qualifying spot for the competition. As a result, Free went on to coach Australia’s two-member Olympic breaking team.
However, contrary to what some might believe after Gunn’s performance at the Olympics, Arthur and others have made it clear that this is not a cause for spreading false stories. As the misleading information posted on Reddit continued to be shared, alternative facts emerged from X’s Community Notes to set the record straight.
In my enthusiastic pursuit of truth, I penned down that the conspiracy seemed spot-on in a prior post. However, after further reflection, one user claimed it was debunked. Now, I find myself yearning to uncover the true tale. There must be some rational explanation for why this scholar, who appears incapable of cracking the case, was chosen by Australia to represent them.
What does Raygun’s husband Samuel Free have to do with her breaking career?
It wasn’t until her twenties that Gunn discovered the world of breaking. This happened after meeting her dance partner, who specialized in ballroom, jazz, and tap styles, at university in 2008. They tied the knot in 2018.
Ever since Free tore his ACL and had to hang up his dance shoes, I channeled my passion into nurturing Gunn’s breakdancing dreams, acting as her mentor. I stood by her side in Paris, where she and Jeff “J-Attack” Dunne, a 16-year-old high school student, proudly represented Australia in breaking’s historic debut at the Olympic Games.
A consummate teammate, Dunne defended Gunn after her battles proved baffling to the outside world.
The teen, who was eliminated from the preliminary round, expressed this to the Herald Sun in an interview on August 12: “The only thing I can say is she embodies toughness.” She’s been Australia’s top female breaker, and I wholeheartedly recognize and admire her 100%.
How did Raygun qualify for the Paris Olympics?
Gunn, who represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023, shared with the Sydney Morning Herald prior to the Olympics that he emerged victorious in the Oceania qualifier. This victory granted him a direct pass to Paris. He described the competition as incredibly intense, stressful, but also incredibly amazing.
Simple as that, right?
Viewers at home didn’t need long to search for the B-girl who Gunn defeated in the World DanceSport Federation Oceania Championship last October, as she was the one who earned a spot for Paris.
To put it simply, the runner-up, commonly known as B-Girl Molly, has gained a multitude of both supporters and critics lately. (Since everyone loves to play the expert from their couch.)
User at X commented that Raygun appeared to be more qualified, explaining, “She holds a Ph.D., while Molly’s qualifications seem to mainly revolve around her exceptional breakdancing skills.”
I recently added another comment to a video showcasing Chapman’s performance at the 2023 Red Bull BC One event. Although it wasn’t exceptional, it was 10000 times more impressive than ‘Raygun.’
The individual who shared the video responded, “I concur. While it may not lead to an Olympic victory, I won’t bring shame upon myself or my nation.”
Nevertheless, Chapman is part of the Australians who’ve stood by Gunn, reposting this statement from AUSbreaking on her Instagram Story: “The selection for Australia’s Breaking team bound for Paris was a two-day event, open to anyone in the Oceanic region interested in participating. Following regulations set by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), which mirror those of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the process was designed to guarantee a fair and transparent result.”
Chapman wrote atop the post, per News.com.au,”Truth/facts.”
As a lifestyle enthusiast, I wholeheartedly support the spirit of determination embodied by Rayna Jackowiak, also known as “Raygun”. In line with our Australian ethos, it’s fantastic to see individuals like her who dare to chase their dreams and represent our nation. The Olympics, at its core, celebrates participation in sports, and that’s exactly what Raygun did. Whether she brought home gold or simply gave her best, that’s all we ask for. Her courage and dedication are commendable, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation to her.
What does a score of zero in breaking really mean?
Martin Gilian, the renowned Olympic head judge and B-Boy MGbility, provided a more detailed explanation.
He clarified to journalists before the August 11 Closing Ceremony that breaking, or dance battle, is about being original and contributing something fresh to the art form while representing one’s country or region. In Raygun’s case, she drew inspiration from her environment, symbolized by a kangaroo in this context.
In my perspective, although Gunn’s skill level might not have reached the heights of her peers, I must clarify that it doesn’t equate to a poor performance. She gave her all and even secured the Oceania qualifier title. Regrettably, the other B-girls excelled more in this instance.
After her rapid rise to fame, she expressed her intention to leave a unique impact on the Games.
She shared with reporters on August 10, as reported by the Associated Press, that she never intended to outperform these girls in areas where they excel, namely their dynamic performances and powerful moves. Instead, she wanted to approach things differently, focusing on artistry and creativity since such opportunities don’t come along often…particularly when performing on an international stage.
Additionally, he included the breakdancer whose innovative move sparked countless internet sensations, “Everything I do is unique. Creativity holds immense value for me. I step onto that stage, and I express myself artistically. Sometimes it resonates with the judges, and other times it doesn’t. I continue to perform, and my work embodies art. That’s what it’s all about.”
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2024-08-15 00:19