Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known professionally as “Raygun,” announced her retirement from competitive breaking following her appearance at the Paris Olympics.

Gunn, who faced considerable backlash after her performance at the Games, revealed her decision on Australia’s 2DayFM The Jimmy and Nath Show earlier this week, explaining that she does not wish to endure the intense criticism that would likely accompany future competitions.

🇦🇺RAYGUN RETIRES FROM BREAKDANCING

Following her disastrous performance at the Paris Olympics, Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn said she would no longer compete in the sport.

She became an online sensation for all the wrong reasons with moves like the kangaroo hop and the sprinkler.… pic.twitter.com/VwmUShf2BE

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 7, 2024

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Gunn represented Australia at the Olympics during the debut of breaking as an official sport.

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However, her experience was marked by an 18-0 loss in each of her three round-robin battles, leaving her without any points.

Her performance sparked a range of reactions, from viewers calling her style eccentric to questioning her presence in a sport deeply rooted in the New York hip-hop culture, often associating it more with urban communities than with academic backgrounds.

Reflecting on her experience, Gunn noted the unique challenges of performing in a sport as visible and scrutinized as breaking. “It’s just not gonna mean the same thing,” she said, adding that the pressure and scrutiny have altered her experience of the sport. “It’s not going to be the same experience because of everything that’s at stake,” she explained.

The Paris Games also brought Gunn under the spotlight in unexpected ways, as her routine quickly became the subject of internet memes and was parodied on late-night television.

Gunn described the experience as “surreal” and said it remains “impossible to process.”

When asked by co-host Nathan Roye if she would consider competing in another Olympics, Gunn responded with a firm, “No.”

She went on to express that the public perception of her performance had felt out of her control. “It was really upsetting because I felt like I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me — or who I was, who my partner was, my story,” Gunn shared.

Although breaking will not be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Gunn originally planned to continue competing internationally after Paris.

However, the backlash has made it difficult for her to consider returning to the competitive arena. “That seems a really difficult thing for me to do now, to approach a battle,” she said. “I mean, I still dance and I still break, but that’s, like, in my living room with my partner.”

 

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Despite the criticism, Gunn has continued to receive support from fans who have sent positive messages and shared memes in her favor.

She said these interactions have helped her maintain a balance amid the public response to her Olympic appearance.

Gunn, who previously represented Australia in three World Championships and won the Oceania Breaking Championships last year, emphasized that she still has a deep passion for dance.

While she won’t be returning to competitive breaking, she is focusing on other projects aimed at promoting dance as a form of personal expression and creativity.

She explained her future goals as encouraging others “to dance and have fun and be creative and be themselves.”

With her competitive chapter closed, Gunn hopes to inspire others to explore the art of dance without fear of judgment or criticism, reflecting a renewed commitment to the values that initially drew her to the sport.