The family of Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known as ‘Raygun’, have sent a powerful message to the judges after she received a score of zero in the Paris Olympics.
Raygun’s Unique Performance Catches Attention
Rachael, a 36-year-old breakdancer who also lectures at Macquarie University, caused quite a stir at the Olympics with her unforgettable performance. Going by the name ‘Raygun’ in the dance world, she delivered a routine unlike any other on August 9th, during the breakdancing category.
Despite her enthusiasm and creativity, Raygun scored zero in all three rounds of the heats. Her routine was described as a mix of writhing on the floor and hopping like a kangaroo, which did not fare well with the judges.
Family’s Strong Response
Following the judges’ decision, Raygun’s family responded to show support. Her father-in-law, Andrew Free, voiced his thoughts on social media. On August 10th, he wrote, “It was a pretty stacked competition and the judges were clearly looking for a certain style of breaking which is not Rachael’s specialty. In my obviously biased opinion, they did not reward originality and musicality sufficiently. The main thing is she represented Australia and breakdancing at the Olympics with courage and dignity.”
Judges’ Perspective
One of the judges, known as MGbility (Martin Gilian), acknowledged Raygun’s unique approach. He mentioned in a press conference, “Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new to the table while representing your region. This is exactly what Raygun was doing. She got inspired by her surroundings, for instance, a kangaroo. We have five criteria in the judging system, and her level may not have matched the other competitors’ proficiency. She did her best and performed well at the Oceania qualifier, but the other participants were just better on the day.”
Raygun’s Perspective
Raygun herself remains proud of her performance. She stated, “All my moves are original. Creativity is really important to me. I go out there and I show my artistry. Sometimes it resonates with the judges and sometimes it doesn’t. I do my thing, and it represents art. That is what it is about.”
She gained recognition after winning the WDSF Oceania Breaking Championships in 2023, which earned her a spot in the Olympics.
It’s important to note that Raygun’s approach to breakdancing, focusing on creativity and originality, might not always align with the competitive standards of the judges. Nevertheless, she remains dedicated to her artistic expression and proud of her journey.
