Australian Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Ranked World No. 1 Despite Paris Games Controversy
Rachael Gunn, better known by her stage name Raygun, has been ranked the number one breakdancer in the world by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), despite not receiving any points from the Olympic judges during her viral performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 37-year-old Australian breakdancer claimed the top spot after her victory at the 2023 Oceania Continental Championships, according to the WDSF’s latest world rankings. However, the ranking has sparked confusion and debate on social media, with some questioning how she reached the top despite her Olympic score.
“Raygun ranked world number one after Paris Olympics controversy — how funny is this? World no 1???!!!” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In response to the controversy, the WDSF explained in a statement that rankings are based on an athlete’s top four performances within the past 12 months. They also clarified that events from the Paris Games, as well as Olympic qualifier competitions in Shanghai and Budapest, were not part of the ranking system due to the intentional scheduling gap that allowed athletes to focus on Olympic qualifications.
“The ranking system is designed to update based on the athlete’s performances over a 52-week period,” the WDSF stated. “By the conclusion of the Olympic Games, many competition results had expired, contributing to the current standings.”
The federation reassured fans that the ranking process remains transparent and noted that the standings will likely shift after the Breaking for Gold World Series event in October.
Gunn addressed the ongoing criticism of her Olympic performance in a recent interview with Australia’s The Project, explaining her decision to incorporate uniquely Australian elements into her routine, including a tribute to the Olympic mascot, BK the boxing kangaroo.
“I wanted to showcase something that represented Australia,” Gunn said. “Breaking allows you to take inspiration from any source, and I wanted to stick to what I’m good at.”
In an emotional Instagram post, Gunn revealed that the backlash from her Olympic routine had taken a toll on her, saying the negative comments were “devastating.” She also shared that she had taken a social media break and sought mental health support.
“It’s been a wild ride, and while there have been some tough moments, the positive feedback has been overwhelming,” she said during her interview. “I never imagined my performance would resonate with so many people in such a meaningful way.”
Despite the challenges, Gunn remains optimistic about the future of her breakdancing career and is looking ahead to upcoming competitions.