For Rachael Gunn, affectionately known as “Raygun,” winning was never the main goal. The 36-year-old Australian break dancer is thrilled simply to be competing in the world of breaking.
During the inaugural Olympic breaking competition, Raygun scored zero points from the judges, but her vibrant performances have captured hearts across social media platforms like TikTok, X, and Instagram.
Despite facing disqualification in a lengthy Round Robin competition, her distinctive green-and-yellow outfit and freestyle style have garnered a loyal fanbase.
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“RayGun is a living legend!” one TikTok user exclaimed, while another viewer sweetly noted, “She’s really dancing like nobody’s watching. 🥰” accompanied by a heart emoji.
Of course, not everyone was kind, with some TikTok users questioning her skills, like one who asked, “that’s the best break dancer in the entire country???”
Others chimed in with humor, joking, “Oh, I didn’t realize that I too was an Olympic break dancer.”
Outside of breaking, Gunn is a professor at Macquarie University in Sydney, focusing on gender politics and dance. In her interview with The Guardian, she expressed resilience against the negative comments.
“I aimed to showcase something new and creative. I knew I wouldn’t outdo those powerhouse dancers, so I focused on artistic expression instead,” Gunn explained, emphasizing her unique approach.
Identifying as the underdog, she was motivated to leave her mark uniquely. With #raygun trending on TikTok with over 20.5k posts, it’s evident that she has achieved that.
Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the future of breaking as an Olympic sport remains uncertain, leaving fans curious about how many break dancers will get their moment on the big stage.