Community Rallies Around B-Girl Raygun, Eyes Olympic Comeback

In a show of support, the head judge of the breaking competition said 36-year-old university professor Rachael Gunn was just trying to be original.

PARIS, France — The breaking community is rallying behind b-girl Raygun as the Paris Olympics concluded.

The debut of breaking in the Olympics has sparked worldwide conversation. One standout moment was the performance of Australian b-girl Raygun, who scored zero points for her “kangaroo dance.”

Head judge Martin Gilian, known as MGbility, expressed his support for Raygun. “Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new,” he stated. “Raygun was inspired by her surroundings, such as a kangaroo, and that’s what she showcased.”

The breaking federation also offered mental health support to Gunn following online criticism. “We prioritize mental safety for our athletes,” said Sergey Nifontov, general secretary of the World DanceSport Federation. “We are fully supporting her.”

Despite her low score, Gilian emphasized that Raygun’s performance was a true representation of her region. “She did her best at the Oceania qualifier,” he added. “Unfortunately, her competitors outperformed her here.”

The decision to exclude breaking from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has disappointed many. B-girl Ami, who won gold, lamented, “Breaking started in the USA. It’s not just a sport, it’s an art.”

Federation president Shawn Tay defended the sport’s evolution from its 1970s Bronx origins to its Olympic debut. “We were warned initially that top breakers might not participate,” he said. “But we’ve managed to bring them all in, competing for their countries.”

The next Summer Games in Brisbane, Australia, offer hope for breaking’s future inclusion. Nifontov stated, “We believe this has no bearing on our chances for Brisbane 2032.”