B-Girl ‘Raygun’, new breakdancing world No. 1 after her controversy at the Paris 2024 Olympics
SportsIn
September 11, 2024

Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn, the outstanding Australian breakdancer, has recently been named the world’s No. 1 breakdancer by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), the governing body of breaking and other dance sports. Barely a month after her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Australian has received this recognition after a turbulent period in which Raygun’s performance unleashed a wave of criticism, but also demonstrated her ability to overcome adversity and establish herself as a key figure in world breaking.

In a statement, the WDSF clarified Tuesday that its rankings are updated based on each athlete’s top four performances over the past 12 months. Points earned at these competitions remain valid for 52 weeks from the date of the event. Raygun won the gold medal at the 2023 WDSF Oceania Championships, which secured her 1,000 ranking points (plus the Olympic berth) and catapulted her to number one, tied on points with the world number two, Japan’s B-Girl Riko, ahead of the breakdancer who defeated her in the French capital.

During her participation in the Paris Olympics, Gunn was eliminated in the group stage, but what really grabbed attention was her unusual routine, which included moves such as kangaroo jumps and floor actions that many considered unconventional for the discipline. This performance provoked a strong reaction in the breakdancing community, which accused her of damaging the art form’s reputation with her approach. In response, Raygun offered a public apology, stating, “I’m sorry for the reaction the community has experienced, but I can’t control how people react.”

CONFIDENCE IN HERSELF AND HER RESULTS

Despite the controversy, Gunn never lost confidence in her ability and track record. In a recent interview, she defended her position among the breaking elite, saying, “I think my track record speaks for itself.” And her track record has indeed taken her to the top, now officially being the No. 1 B-Girl in the world.

This rise has been seen as a testament to her perseverance and talent, proving that even after an episode full of criticism, Raygun has been able to come back stronger than ever. While the nature of her performance in Paris continues to be debated, her recognition as the best in the world reaffirms her place in breakdance history.

Looking ahead, Raygun has expressed her intention to continue to represent Australia in international competitions and has expressed her enthusiasm for the development of breakdancing.

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