As breaking—commonly known as breakdancing—makes its historic debut at the Olympic Games, one Australian competitor has captured global attention with her distinctive moves and vibrant personality.
Raygun, a 36-year-old b-girl from Australia, took to the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics, leaving a lasting impression on both judges and spectators alike during the women’s breaking competition on Friday, August 9.
Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, became an overnight sensation after her performance, particularly for a move affectionately dubbed the “Kangaroo.” Donning a striking gold and green tracksuit, representative of Australia’s national colors, and a matching baseball cap, Raygun’s routine was a blend of power, creativity, and humor, earning her admiration from fans worldwide.
Social media quickly buzzed with reactions to Raygun’s performance. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “I could live all my life and never come up with anything as funny as Raygun, the 36-year-old Australian Olympic breakdancer.” The post, accompanied by a photo of Raygun posing confidently for the camera, quickly went viral, amassing over 50,000 likes.
RELATED: Pole Vaulter Alysha Newman Responds to OnlyFans Critics as Profile Soars After Olympics Twerk
Another X user humorously compared her routine to one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history, stating, “There has not been an Olympic performance this dominant since Usain Bolt’s 100m sprint at Beijing in 2008. Honestly, the moment Raygun broke out her Kangaroo move this competition was over! Give her the #breakdancing gold ?.”
Despite the lighthearted praise, some viewers pointed out that Raygun’s performance, while entertaining, may not have matched the technical prowess of her younger competitors. Clips of her routine circulated online, with one social media user joking that her moves were like “me trying to get the duvet off when I’m too hot at night,” and another comparing them to “what my nephew does after telling all of us to ‘watch this.'”
In the intense Round Robin competition, each b-girl—slang for a female breaker—faced off one-on-one, showcasing their best moves to a panel of judges. These judges assessed the dancers on how well their style, power moves, and musicality aligned with the DJ’s beats, as they vied for a spot in Olympic history as the first medalists in breaking.
Raygun, however, faced stiff competition from some of the world’s top breakers.
She ultimately lost her Round Robin matchups against the USA’s b-girl Logistx, 21, France’s Syssy, 16, and Lithuania’s Nicka, 17. Despite the defeat, Raygun’s Olympic journey is far from over, and her participation in the Games has already left an indelible mark on the sport.
Outside of her Olympic endeavors, Rachael Gunn is a university professor in Australia, with a deep academic interest in breaking.
Before her foray into the world of breakdancing, she was a jazz and ballroom dancer, and her passion for dance has transcended into her professional life. At Macquarie University in Sydney, she serves as a lecturer, studying “the cultural politics of breaking,” according to her university biography.
In an Instagram video shared the day before her Olympic debut, Raygun expressed her gratitude and excitement for being part of breaking’s inaugural Olympic competition. “It is such an honor and a privilege to be, you know, one of sixteen women from around the world competing in breaking’s debut at the Olympics,” she said. “I hope that seeing breaking at the Olympics inspires a whole new generation of breakers.”
Raygun’s journey at the Paris Olympics may not have culminated in a medal, but her impact on the global stage—and the internet—has solidified her as a beloved figure in the breaking community and beyond. As breaking continues to grow in popularity, Raygun’s story will undoubtedly inspire future generations of dancers to pursue their passion, both on and off the dance floor.
