Who is Raygun, the Olympian who has divided the breaking world?
Raygun, also known as Rachael Gunn, was under heavy criticism recently following her Olympic performances in Paris. Australian university lecturer, 36, participated in the breaking (breakdancing) competition, but her outrageous performance choices and manner drew a lot of criticism. Her routines, which included moves like the sprinkler and kangaroo-inspired hops, were heavily criticized online. This reaction had significant effects on the small but passionate hip-hop community in Australia, as per the reports of Yahoo sports.
Within the Australian breaking scene, the backlash against Raygun caused a stir. Many thought her performance fell short of the high expectations they have for someone performing on such a big stage. Australian hip-hop pioneer Spice said that the unfavorable press appeared to be pushing their local scene back and questioned the expectations for Olympic representation. In spite of the criticism, several in the community stood up for Raygun, saying that any objective assessment of her work was eclipsed by the harsh criticism coming from all around the world.
Raygun’s path to breaking
As reported by Yahoo sports, Raygun's entry into breaking came through her husband and coach, Samuel Free, who introduced her to the dance form when she was 20. Initially, she struggled in the male-dominated field but gradually became a leading figure in Australian breaking. Her success at a qualifying event in Sydney last October earned her a spot at the Olympics. This was a significant achievement for both her and the Australian breaking scene, given its relatively small size and limited resources.
