Australian Breakdancer Raygun Retires After Controversial Olympics Backlash: A Reflection on Her Impact on the Sport
After years of dazzling audiences with her incredible breakdancing skills, Australian breakdancer Raygun has announced her retirement from the sport. This decision comes in the wake of the backlash she faced after her performance at the Olympics.
Raygun, known for her jaw-dropping moves and electrifying energy on the dance floor, has captivated fans all over the world with her unique style. From spinning on her head to effortlessly gliding across the stage, she has truly been a force to be reckoned with in the breakdancing world.
Despite her success, Raygun has faced criticism from some quarters for her unorthodox approach to the sport. However, this has only fueled her determination to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.
As she bids farewell to the sport that has been her passion for so many years, Raygun leaves behind a legacy that will surely inspire the next generation of breakdancers. Her dedication, creativity, and fearlessness on the dance floor have set her apart as a true trailblazer in the world of breakdancing.
While her retirement may mark the end of an era, there is no doubt that Raygun’s impact on the sport will be felt for years to come. Her performances will forever be remembered as a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and passion in the world of breakdancing.
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Australia’s Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes during the Round Robin Battle at the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics on Aug. 9, in Paris. Her performance drew laughs and criticism and now Gunn is responding.
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Raygun, the Australian breakdancer who received ongoing backlash for her performance in the Paris Olympics, said she is retiring from competing.
Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, said on Australian radio earlier this week that she does not want to endure the criticism that would come with future performances possibly being recorded and posted online.
“It’s just not gonna mean the same thing,” she said. “It’s not going to be the same experience because of everything that’s at stake.”
Breaking debuted as an Olympic sport over the summer. During the competition in Paris, Gunn failed to score any points, losing 18-0 in each of her three round-robin battles.
Reactions to Gunn’s performance ranged from declarations of her moves being eccentric, to questions about her place in the sport as a white woman in academia, given the dance style’s roots in the early New York hip-hop scene. Her routine was made into memes and spoofed on late night television.
“It’s surreal and it’s still impossible to process,” she said.
Speaking on Australia’s 2DayFM The Jimmy and Nath Show, Gunn quashed the prospect of a future Olympic performance. “Say in four years time, would you do the Olympics again,” asked show co-host Nathan Roye. Gunn quickly said no.
She added, “It was really upsetting because I felt like I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me — or who I was, who my partner was, my story.”
Though breaking won’t be a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Gunn said prior to the backlash, she did plan on continuing to compete after the Paris Olympics were over.
“That seems a really difficult thing for me to do now, to approach a battle,” she said. “I mean, I still dance and I still break, but that’s, like, in my living room with my partner.”
Gunn said she has relied on memes and positive messages from fans to balance out the negativity.
Despite not medaling in Paris, Gunn has represented Australia in the World Championships three times and won the Oceania Breaking Championships last year.
She said she is working on other projects that “encourage people to dance and have fun and be creative and be themselves.”
“Breaking Down the Legacy: Australian Breakdancer Raygun Retires Amid Olympics Backlash”
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