The performance of Dr. Rachael Gunn, who is also known by her b-girl moniker “Raygun,” in the breaking event at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games caused quite a stir.
Her routines, which resulted in zero points in all three round-robin battles, elicited a diverse range of responses on the internet. While some viewers found her unconventional style amusing, others criticized her academic background and questioned her intentions.
Dr. Rachael Gunn
Nevertheless, it was discovered that Dr. Gunn’s performance was motivated by a distinct objective.In the inaugural Olympics of breaking, Rachael Gunn, a 36-year-old Australian breakdancer, encountered formidable opposition. All three of her battles were lost by a score of 18-0, including those against the United States, France, and Lithuania.
Her distinctive manner and approach rapidly gained popularity on social media, where she was both praised and ridiculed, despite the losses. One individual on X (formerly known as Twitter) expressed their opinion, stating, “If this Raygun lady is a comedian who intentionally sucks her way through qualifiers and all the way to the Olympics, it will be one of the greatest bits ever achieved.”In response to the mounting criticism, Rachael addressed the outrage on her Instagram page, raising the possibility of gender bias. She stated (as reported by News.com.au): “I anticipate the same level of scrutiny regarding the attire of the bboys tomorrow,” emphasizing the disparity in the evaluation of male and female breakdancers.
Rachael had secured her position as Australia’s b-girl representative by winning the Oceania Breaking Championships in 2023. The terms “B-girl” and “B-boy” are employed to denote female and male breakdancers, respectively, in the context of breaking. The “B” is an abbreviation for “break,” which was inspired by the breakbeats in the music that the dancers originally performed. The 1970s saw the emergence of breaking, which is also referred to as b-boying or b-girling, as a critical component of hip-hop culture.In a post shared by her country’s breaking team, Rachael urged others to embrace their individuality: “Do not be afraid to be different.”
“Go out there and represent yourself; you never know where it will lead.”She provided a more detailed explanation of her objectives following her Olympic performance, stating, “All of my movements are entirely original.” I was unable to surpass these girls in their forte, which is the dynamic and power moves. Consequently, I sought to differentiate myself by incorporating artistic and creative movements, as there are only so many opportunities in a lifetime to perform on an international stage.Dr. Gunn’s academic heritage also garnered attention, resulting in controversy.
She has a BA in Contemporary Music and a PhD in Cultural Studies from Macquarie University. Her research concentrates on the cultural politics of breaking, integrating cultural theory, dance studies, popular music studies, media, and ethnography.However, her opponents perceived her Olympic performance as a mere publicity ploy. Hannah Berreli, editor of On The Woman Q, criticized her on X, stating that “Hundreds of Australian athletes who have dedicated their entire lives to athletic excellence will be forgotten because Rachael wanted to bulk up her ResearchGate profile.”Rachael maintained her unwavering commitment to representing Australia, despite the criticism.
Additionally, she contemplated the importance of donning the Australian Olympic apparel, with a particular emphasis on the Indigenous designs. “It was a genuine source of pride for me to don the Australian uniform,” she stated.Rachael’s performance elicited a flood of parodies, with one of her maneuvers being nicknamed “the kangaroo.”
The significance of creativity in breaking was emphasized by her unconventional approach, which aroused curiosity. “I demonstrate my artistry by venturing outside.” At times, it addresses the judges, and at other times, it does not. She informed reporters, “I do my own thing, and it is a representation of art.”Regrettably, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will not incorporate breaking, as reported by SBS Australia.