Australian B-Girl Rachel “Raygun” Gunn gave her first interview since her controversial performance at breakdancing's Olympic debut went viral on social media last month, leaving many viewers wondering exactly how the 36-year-old college professor qualified for the Summer Games.
Speaking to Australian broadcaster Network 10, Gunn described the aftermath of the Paris Games “Tough.” While he couldn't anticipate the reaction to his performance and the worldwide response it would garner, Gunn admitted that going into the competition he knew he would be unrivaled.
B-Girl Raygun of Australia reacts during the Group B b-girl preliminary round on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France. (Elsa/Getty Images)
“I knew my chances were slim,” she said. “As soon as I qualified, I thought, 'Oh my God, what have I done?' because I knew I was going to get beat and people weren't going to understand my style or what I was going to do.”
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Gunn is a University Lecturer at Macquarie University and holds a PhD in Cultural Studies. “Dance” is listed as one of her research interests. Gunn qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, Australia and was named the top-ranked b-girl by the Australian Breaking Association in 2020 and 2021.
She became an instant viral sensation after a creative performance that included a “kangaroo dance.”
Team Australia's Raygun competes in the women's round-robin Pool B on Day 14 of the Paris Olympics. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“I wanted to bring out some Australian moves and themes… That's the great thing about breaking. You can draw inspiration from any source. I had to rely on what I was good at, on my strengths.”
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Gunn said a lot of the criticism came from those who didn't understand the different styles of breaking. She expected that, but she didn't anticipate the amount of criticism she received.
“There's been a fair amount of very angry and, you know, horrible responses, not just attacking me but attacking my husband, my team, the breakdance and street dance community in Australia, my family,” she added.
Gunn was swept in all of her battles, never earning a single point in the round-robin stage.
Australian Rachael Gunn, known as B-Girl Raygun, competes during the free-for-all in the breaking competition at the Parc Urbane La Concorde at the 2024 Summer Olympics on August 9, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)
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“I haven't seen it again, no,” Gunn said of his Olympic performance.
The world is unlikely to see her back on the Olympic stage anytime soon. Breaking is not on the programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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