It’s secure to say that Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has taken the web by storm.
Gunn competed within the 2024 Paris Olympics‘ first-ever breakdancing occasion on August 9, dealing with off towards France’s Sya Dembélé within the preliminary part of the competitors. Although she failed to attain a degree, shedding 0-2 to the teenage breaking sensation, her distinctive dance strikes rapidly grew to become the speak of the city shortly after competing.
Within the leadup to the large day, Gunn – whose Olympic debut was at age 36 – advised CNBC how the youthful B-Ladies’ fashion of dance would finally differ from those that skew a bit older in age, and the way it may have an effect on every breakdancer’s total rating, which relies on originality and creativity.
“The youthful opponents are nice of their energy, health and explosiveness. However the older ones carry a distinct degree of maturity to the dance,” she advised the outlet. “My specialty is fashion and creativity, not dynamics or energy strikes like many different dancers.”
She added, “I don’t know if it’s going to be valued as a lot as a number of the different standards, however I hope individuals are nonetheless wowed by what I carry because it’s one thing completely different.”
Maintain studying for 5 issues to find out about Rachael “Raygun” Gunn.
She’s Passionate About Dance
Gunn has all the time had an appreciation and fervour for all types of dance, as she defined in a throwback put up through Instagram in July 2024.
“I keep in mind going to the Sydney 2000 Olympics and by no means in one million years pondering that at some point I might be an Olympian. I used to be all the time a dancer – ballet, ballroom, jazz, faucet, you identify it,” she captioned a carousel of pictures, certainly one of which confirmed her in a pink tutu when she was a younger lady.
She added, “I’m so excited that at this yr’s Olympics we get a possibility to indicate the world the athleticism, dedication and mastery that’s required to reach dance.”
Rachael Gunn Has an Spectacular Day Job
Not solely is Gunn an Olympian, the Australian athlete is a lecturer at Sydney’s Macquarie College with a PhD in cultural research.
She’s Australia’s First-Ever Olympic Breakdancer
Since breakdancing was simply added to the Summer season Olympics for its 2024 video games, Gunn is her nation’s first-ever breakdancer to compete for gold.
She mirrored on qualifying for the Olympics through an Instagram put up in November 2023.
“It’s been every week since I certified for the Olympics and [to be honest] I’m nonetheless processing it. I’ve been so exhausted for the reason that qualifier, not simply bodily but additionally mentally,” she wrote partially. “However I’m additionally so pumped for what’s subsequent. I can’t wait to push myself even tougher in my coaching. I can’t wait to signify my fashion, my crew, my metropolis, my nation, my area.”
She additionally represented Australia within the World Breaking Championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Rachael Gunn’s Breakdancing Routine Went Viral on Social Media
Gunn’s routine on the Olympics rapidly went viral on social media after her efficiency. And whereas some web customers had a number of selection phrases about her breakdancing, many embraced her distinctive strikes and provided a playful tackle her fashion.
“Raygun’s Kangaroo transfer was so dominant, it felt just like the competitors was over!” wrote one fan through X. “Give her the #breakdancing gold🥇. Whereas some say #breakdancing shouldn’t be within the Olympics, it’s clearly spectacular and enjoyable #BreakingForGold #Olympics.”
One other added, “Two days earlier than the #Olympic2024 ends and we predict we’ve seen all of it. And a brand new foremost character seems… a 36-year-old Australian breakdancer.”
She’s an Award-Profitable Athlete
Along with competing on the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gunn can also be an award-winning athlete, taking house Sports activities Star of the Yr on the 2024 Pedestrian TV Awards in July.