Breaking Community Rallies Behind Viral B-Girl Raygun, Applauds Her Unique Style

In a show of solidarity, the head judge of the breaking competition emphasized that 36-year-old university professor Rachael Gunn was striving for originality during her performance.

PARIS, France — As the Paris Olympics concluded, the breaking community called for leniency towards b-girl Raygun, who captured attention with her unconventional “kangaroo dance” that ultimately earned her zero points.

Breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris, a milestone that may not be repeated, and Raygun’s performance remains a memorable highlight. The Australian b-girl’s novel approach was met with mixed reactions, but support has poured in from several quarters.

On Sunday, head judge Martin Gilian, known as MGbility, spoke at a press conference to defend Raygun’s creative endeavor. “Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new to the table,” Gilian stated. “Raygun drew inspiration from her environment, represented by her kangaroo dance.”

The breaking and hip-hop communities stand firmly behind her. Gilian explained further that while originality is key, Raygun’s skill level was simply outmatched by her competitors. “Winning the Oceania qualifier proves her capability. It’s unfortunate the other b-girls performed better,” he added.

Sergey Nifontov, general secretary of the World DanceSport Federation, confirmed direct contact with Gunn and Australian Olympic team officials. “We’ve extended mental health support to Gunn, prioritizing her mental safety amid online backlash. Our federation remains committed to her well-being,” Nifontov said.

Breaking, a discipline dating back to the Bronx in the 1970s, is not set to feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The subsequent Summer Games will be held in Brisbane, Australia.

Nifontov dismissed concerns that Raygun’s performance would impact Brisbane 2032’s chances. “We believe this incident has no bearing on our bid for Brisbane 2032,” he stated.

Japanese b-girl Ami Yuasa, who clinched the gold medal, voiced disappointment over the exclusion of breaking from Los Angeles 2028, highlighting the sport’s American roots and expressive nature.

Federation president Shawn Tay defended breaking’s evolution from a street art form into an Olympic sport, addressing critics who saw this as commercialization. “We’ve successfully brought top breakers from across the world to compete for national glory. This evolution has heightened their dedication and performance,” Tay explained.

Raygun’s creative spirit, though unconventional, has sparked meaningful dialogue within the breaking community and beyond, underscoring the balance between originality and competitiveness in the sport.