The Olympics’ newest event, breakdancing, has been the talk of the town, thanks to some strange dance moves and millions of mixed reactions
There’s a lot happening at the Olympics’ newest event, breakdancing.
Not only did American rapper Snoop Dogg bust a few moves of his own to open the event but, last Friday, Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn also rose to internet fame (or infamy) after her performance at the round robin battles.
Gunn, the 36-year-old breakdancer—who is actually a professor at Macquarie University in Sydney—is one of the 16 B-girls who represented Australia in the inaugural competition. The breakdancer (who also holds a PhD in cultural studies) goes by B-girl Raygun in breaking events.
Raygun caught social media’s attention and gained viral status, thanks to her uncanny moves. Unfortunately (or perhaps contributing to how she went viral, too), she failed to score any points in the battles.
@gloss Name a better duo than Raygun and Snoop Dogg. We’ll wait 🤯 #fyp #foryou #raygun #snoopdogg #olympics #breakdance ♬ Drop It Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg
Her more “unique” moves include hopping like a kangaroo, flopping around like a fish, and attempting headstands. The internet is divided; some find it funny and entertaining, while others look at it disdainfully, questioning Australia’s choice of Olympians.
Gunn’s own students didn’t believe her when she said she was training for the Olympics. Gunn was able to get a spot on the Olympic team when she won the 2023 Oceania Breaking Championship and represented Australia at the World Championships in 2021 and 2022. “[They] were shocked when they checked Google and saw that I qualified,” Gunn told CNBC.
Gunn took the comments in stride, saying she wasn’t expecting to place in the competition at all, acknowledging her style is quite different from what’s expected at these events. She said she also leaned more into showcasing her creativity and artistry.
@becvilikas its the ending for me #breakdancing #olympics2024 #olympics #australia #raygun ♬ original sound – UnknoWn_
In a report by Forbes, Olympic breaking will be judged by a panel of nine judges “using Level A of the WDSF (World DanceSport Federation) Breaking Judging System,” the focus of which are on five categories, including technique, vocabulary, execution, musicality, and originality.
“I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get that in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?” she said.
It truly does look like she went and had a good time.
@theladylau Raygun said she had fun being herself and encourages others tk do the same, I actually love her 😅❤️ I’ve been in a dark place lately so thank you #raygun you are Australia’s brightest star 🌟A little extended version of yesterday’s Breaking #breakdancing #fypシ゚viral #fypviral #olympics #australia #usa #america #dance #breaking #fyp ♬ Mamushi (feat. Yuki Chiba) – Megan Thee Stallion
“It was amazing. Such an amazing experience,” she told Yahoo Sports.
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Other noteworthy B-girls included Japan’s Ami Yuasa who bagged the gold medal. The Olympic refugee team B-girl Manizha Talash, meanwhile, incorporated a political statement during her round, by showing a cape bearing the words “Free Afghan Women.” Talash was born in Afghanistan before fleeing due to the Taliban, the Guardian reports.
Though this is breaking’s debut in the Summer Olympic Games, reports have also said the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics may no longer include breaking in the events.