Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known by her stage name “Raygun,” has officially decided to retire from high-level competition following a tumultuous debut at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Though she’s stepping back from elite battles, the decision comes after an unexpected and brutal turn in the international spotlight that turned her life upside down.
Raygun’s Olympic journey began with the debut of breakdancing (officially called “breaking”) at the Paris Games, alongside the introduction of kayak cross, making it a historic moment for the Olympics.
With 32 competitors in the event—16 b-boys and 16 b-girls—the competition was fierce, but it was Raygun who would become the viral sensation, for reasons no one saw coming.
While Japan’s Ami Yuasa took home the gold medal on the women’s side, it was Raygun’s performance that captured the public’s attention.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t for her impressive dancing. Raygun failed to score a single point in any of her three round-robin matches.
What was meant to be a dazzling display of breakdancing turned into a spectacle that had viewers cringing—Raygun was seen crawling around the stage, hopping like a kangaroo, and generally looking out of place.
The footage quickly went viral, and Raygun found herself at the center of a media frenzy that spun her into the spotlight, but not in the way she might have hoped.
What followed was a flood of criticism, memes, and mockery, with many questioning how she even made it to the Olympics in the first place.
The backlash only escalated when rumors surfaced that Raygun had somehow “rigged” the qualifying competition to earn her spot as Australia’s representative.
Although the accusations were never substantiated, Raygun didn’t shy away from defending her integrity. She quickly addressed the claims, insisting that her path to the Olympics was fair and square.
However, the damage had been done. Instead of being celebrated for her skill or for representing her country, Raygun became the target of ridicule.
It’s no surprise then that, in a recent interview with 2DayFM, Raygun revealed that the negative response to her Olympic performance led her to announce her retirement from high-level competition.
“I’m not going to compete anymore, no. I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems really difficult for me to do now to approach a battle,” she admitted.
The crushing blow to her confidence was clear in her words: “I still dance, and I still break. But, you know, that’s like in my living room with my partner.”
She went on to explain how the experience had been emotionally draining, saying, “It’s been really upsetting. I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was.”
While it seemed like this was the final curtain on Raygun’s career, she did leave a small window open for the future.
In a follow-up appearance on *The Project*, Raygun clarified that she would still be involved in “community jams” but would no longer participate in “elite competitions.”
For Raygun, it was about reclaiming some level of control over her passion and avoiding the harsh scrutiny of high-stakes events.
This decision marks the end of what could have been a promising career on the international breakdancing circuit—but let’s rewind for a moment.
Rachael Gunn’s journey to the Olympics wasn’t your typical athlete’s path. Born in Australia, she immersed herself in breakdancing from a young age, eventually becoming an expert in the art form.
In addition to her dancing career, she’s a professor, specializing in breakdancing and hip-hop culture, educating the next generation about the roots and evolution of the dance.
Her passion for breaking stems from the vibrant, street-level culture that emerged in New York City in the 1980s, when hip-hop was still in its infancy.
As breakdancing gained traction worldwide, it eventually made its way into mainstream culture, culminating in its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics—an event that put Raygun in front of millions of viewers.
But while her qualifications as a breakdancing educator and performer were unquestionable, the performance that saw her crawl and hop around on the stage was a far cry from what people expected from an Olympic-level athlete.
And this wasn’t just any Olympic event—this was the debut of a new sport, and expectations were sky-high.
Instead of being celebrated as a pioneering figure in the Olympics, Raygun’s performance became an internet sensation for all the wrong reasons.
The backlash quickly escalated, but Raygun’s story didn’t end there—she became a symbol of how difficult it is to survive the intense spotlight, especially when it’s the result of an awkward or misunderstood moment.
Despite the public shaming, Raygun refused to let the criticism define her. She continued to stand by her performance, embracing her newfound notoriety as part of her journey.
But the weight of constant scrutiny began to wear on her. The Olympics, which were supposed to be a triumph, instead became a public spectacle that overshadowed her years of dedication to the craft.
For Raygun, the pressure of being in the public eye—along with the vitriol that came with it—was simply too much to bear.
She was forced to re-evaluate her place in the world of elite competition and, in the end, chose to step away from the grind of high-profile battles.
This isn’t the end of Raygun’s career, though. Despite stepping back from competitive dance, she remains a respected figure in the world of breakdancing and continues to teach and share her passion with others.
Her story serves as a reminder of how quickly fame can turn sour, and how even the most accomplished athletes and performers can be brought down by the harsh realities of public opinion.
But Raygun’s not finished yet—she’s just taking a different path, focusing on her love for dance, her community, and her role as a teacher.
In the end, it’s a victory of its own kind—one that prioritizes personal fulfillment over the pressure of winning at all costs.
As for the future of breakdancing in the Olympics, Raygun’s story will likely be a defining one. But with its inclusion now cemented, who knows where it will go next.
For Raygun, though, the battle is over, but the dance continues—just on her own terms.
Her story, one of unexpected fame, public backlash, and ultimate reinvention, will no doubt resonate with many who have ever had their passion turned into public spectacle.
Will this be the last we see of Raygun on the international stage? Time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: she’s not done dancing yet.