Rachael Raygun Gunn
Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesIt’s safe to say he’s an Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has taken the internet by storm.
Gunn took part in the first-ever breakdancing event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 9, where he competed against France’s Sya Dembele in the preliminary phase of the competition. Although she failed to score a point, losing 0-2 to the teenage breaking sensation, her unique dance moves quickly became the talk of the town shortly after the match.
In the run-up to the big day, Gunn – whose Olympic debut was at the age of 36 – said CNBC how the dancing style of the younger B-Girls would ultimately differ from that of those a little older, and how this could affect each breakdancer’s overall score, which is based on originality and creativity.
“The younger participants are great in their strength, fitness and explosiveness. But the older ones bring a different level of maturity to the dance,” she told the outlet. “My specialty is style and creativity, not dynamics or power movements like many other dancers.”
The 2024 Summer Olympics may be taking place in the City of Light, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t come with their fair share of darkness. After a glitzy opening ceremony on Friday, July 26, which continues to spark outrage from a number of celebrities and religious figures, the Games are plagued by accusations of sexism […]
She added: “I don’t know if it will be appreciated as much as some of the other criteria, but I hope people are still impressed with what I bring because it is something different.”
Keep reading for five things you need to know about Rachael “Raygun” Gunn.
She is passionate about dance
Rachael Raygun Gunn
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty ImagesGunn has always had an appreciation and passion for all forms of dance, as she explained in a throwback post via Instagram in July 2024.
“I remember going to the 2000 Sydney Olympics and never in a million years thinking that one day I would become an Olympian. I was always a dancer – ballet, ballroom, jazz, tap, you name it,” she captioned a carousel of photos, one of which showed her in a pink tutu when she was a young girl.
She added, “I am so excited that at this year’s Olympic Games we will have the opportunity to show the world the athleticism, dedication and mastery it takes to succeed in dance.”
Rachael Gunn has an impressive job
Not only is Gunn an Olympian, the Australian athlete is a lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney with a PhD in cultural studies.
She is Australia’s first ever Olympic break dancer
Rachael Raygun Gunn
Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesSince breakdancing was just added to the 2024 Summer Olympics, Gunn has become her country’s first-ever breakdancer to compete for gold.
She thought about qualifying for the Olympics through a Instagram message in November 2023.
As Team USA heads into the 2024 Olympics in Paris, America’s athletes have already made an impression at the summer games. The 2024 Olympic Games kicked off on Friday, July 26, with an illustrious opening ceremony that took place entirely outdoors on the River Seine and featured performances by Celine Dion and Lady […]
“It’s been a week since I qualified for the Olympics and [to be honest] I’m still processing it. I have been so exhausted since qualifying, not only physically but mentally,” she wrote in part. “But I’m also so excited for what’s next. I can’t wait to push myself even harder during my training. I can’t wait to represent my style, my crew, my city, my country, my region.”
She also represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Rachael Gunn’s breakdance routine went viral on social media
Rachael Raygun Gunn
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty ImagesGunn’s routine at the Olympics quickly went viral on social media after her performance. And while some netizens had some nice words about her breakdancing, many embraced her unique moves and offered a playful take on her style.
“Raygun’s Kangaroo move was so dominant that it felt like the competition was over!” wrote one fan via X. “Give her the #breakdancing gold🥇. While some say #breakdancing shouldn’t be in the Olympics, it’s clearly impressive and fun #BreakingForGold #Olympics.”
Although Us doesn’t want the 2024 Olympics to end in Paris, the closing ceremony is on the horizon. Thomas Jolly, the creative director who also oversaw the opening ceremony – which featured performances by Céline Dion and Lady Gaga – has dubbed the closing show “Records.” There will be performances during the last hurray of this year’s competitions […]
Another added“Two days before #Olympic2024 ends and we think we’ve seen it all. And a new main character appears… a 36-year-old Australian breakdancer.”
She is an award-winning athlete
In addition to competing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Gunn is also an award-winning athlete. take home Sports Star of the Year at the 2024 Pedestrian TV Awards in July.
