Rachael Raygun Gunn
Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesIt is safe to say that the Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has taken the Internet by storm.
Gunn took part in the first breakdance event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on August 9, competing against France’s Sya Dembele in the preliminary round of the competition. Although she was unable to score a point and lost 0:2 to the teenage breakdance sensation, her unique dance moves were the talk of the town shortly after the competition.
Ahead of the big day, Gunn, who made her Olympic debut at age 36, explained to CNBC how the dancing style of the younger B-girls would ultimately differ from that of the slightly older ones and how that could affect each breakdancer’s overall score, which is based on originality and creativity.
“The younger participants are great in their strength, fitness and dynamics. 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 moves like many other dancers.”
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She added: “I don’t know if it will have as much value as some of the other criteria, but I hope people are still excited about what I bring because it’s something different.”
Read on to learn five things about Rachael “Raygun” Gunn.
She loves dancing
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 on Instagram in July 2024.
“I remember going to the 2000 Sydney Olympics and never in my life thinking that one day I would be an Olympian. I was always a dancer – ballet, ballroom, jazz, tap, you name it,” she wrote under a carousel of photos, one of which showed her as a young girl in a pink tutu.
She added: “I am thrilled that this year’s Olympic Games will give us the opportunity to show the world the athleticism, dedication and mastery required to succeed in dance.”
Rachael Gunn has done an impressive job
Gunn is not only an Olympian, the Australian athlete is also a lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney and has a doctorate in cultural studies.
She is Australia’s first Olympic breakdancer
Rachael Raygun Gunn
Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesWith breakdancing just added to the Summer Olympics program for the 2024 Games, Gunn will be her country’s first breakdancer to compete for gold.
In an Instagram post, she reflected on her qualification for the Olympic Games in November 2023.
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“It’s been a week since I qualified for the Olympics and (to be honest) I’m still processing it. I’ve been so exhausted since qualifying, not just 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 in training. I can’t wait to represent my style, my team, my city, my country, my region.”
She also represented Australia at the 2021, 2022 and 2023 World Breaking Championships.
Rachael Gunn’s breakdance routine went viral on social media
Rachael Raygun Gunn
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty ImagesGunn’s Olympic routine quickly went viral on social media after her performance. And while some internet users had a few kind words to say about her breakdancing, many loved her unique moves and offered a playful take on her style.
“Raygun’s kangaroo move was so dominant it felt like the competition was over!” one fan wrote about X. “Give her the #Breakdancing gold🥇. Even though some say #Breakdancing shouldn’t be part of the Olympics, it’s clearly impressive and fun #BreakingForGold #Olympics.”
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Another added: “With two days to go until #Olympic2024 ends, we think we’ve seen it all. And a new main character emerges… 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, taking home the Sports Star of the Year award at the 2024 Pedestrian TV Awards in July.
