Who is Rachael Gunn, and why has she become a viral sensation? Rachael Louise Gunn, better known by her stage name Raygun, is an Australian academic and retired competitive breakdancer. Born on 2 September 1987 in Hornsby, New South Wales, Gunn has made waves in the breaking community and beyond. Her journey from a jazz, tap, and ballroom dancer to a top-ranked B-girl is nothing short of remarkable. She gained international attention after her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where her unique dance moves went viral, sparking both admiration and controversy. Despite facing intense online criticism, Gunn's originality and creativity have earned her a lasting legacy in the breaking world.
Key Takeaways:
- Rachael Gunn, also known as Raygun, is a top-ranked B-girl with a PhD in cultural studies. Despite facing online criticism, she remains a prominent figure in the breaking community and continues to inspire others with her creativity and resilience.
- Gunn's Olympic journey brought her international attention, and despite facing intense online criticism and bullying, she received significant support from the breaking community and beyond. Her unique style and originality continue to inspire many.
Early Life and Education
Rachael Louise Gunn, better known by her stage name Raygun, has a fascinating background that shaped her into the person she is today.
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Birth and Early Life: Born on 2 September 1987 in Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia, Rachael Gunn's journey began in a small suburb.
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Early Education: She attended Barker College, a prestigious school that laid the foundation for her academic pursuits.
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Bachelor's Degree: Gunn completed a bachelor's degree in contemporary music at Macquarie University in 2009, showcasing her early interest in the arts.
Academic Achievements
Rachael Gunn's academic journey is as impressive as her breakdancing career.
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PhD in Cultural Studies: She earned her PhD in cultural studies from Macquarie University in 2017. Her thesis, Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl's Experience of B-boying, explored gender dynamics in breaking.
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Lecturer at Macquarie University: Gunn is a lecturer in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature at Macquarie University Faculty of Arts.
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Research Focus: Her research primarily focuses on the cultural politics of breaking, blending her academic and dance interests.
Breakdancing Career
Rachael Gunn's breakdancing career is marked by significant achievements and unique experiences.
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Dance Background: Before breakdancing, Gunn practiced jazz, tap, and ballroom dancing.
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Introduction to Breaking: Her husband, Samuel Free, introduced her to breaking in 2008 while they were at university.
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Competitive Breakdancer: Gunn began breakdancing in her mid-twenties and quickly rose to become a top-ranked B-girl in Australia.
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Pause for PhD: She paused her competitive career to complete her PhD, returning to competitions in 2018.
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Top-Ranked B-girl: Gunn was the top-ranked B-girl of the Australian Breaking Association in 2020 and 2021.
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World Championships: She represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
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Oceania Champion: Gunn won the Oceania Breaking Championships in 2023.
Olympic Journey
Rachael Gunn's participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics brought her international attention.
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Olympic Debut: Breaking made its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Gunn was one of the competitors.
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Viral Performance: Although she lost all three round-robin battles with a score of 54-0, her performance went viral.
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Meme Status: Gunn's unique dance moves, particularly her "kangaroo hop," were widely mocked and memed online.
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Online Criticism: She faced intense online criticism and bullying following her Olympic performance.
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Change.org Petition: An anonymously filed petition on Change.org called for an investigation into her position on the Australian Olympic Team but was removed for containing misinformation.
Support and Controversy
Despite the backlash, Gunn received significant support from the breaking community and beyond.
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Community Support: The breaking community rallied around Gunn, praising her originality and creativity.
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Head Judge's Praise: Martin Gilian, the head Olympic breaking judge, praised her for bringing something new to the table.
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Mental Health Support: The World DanceSport Federation offered support for Gunn's mental health.
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World Number 1: In September 2024, Gunn became ranked as the world number 1 by the World DanceSport Federation.
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Research Publications: Gunn co-authored an article titled "The Australian breaking scene and the possibilities and politics of sportification" in Global Hip Hop Studies in June 2023.
Personal Life and Training
Balancing her personal life and rigorous training, Gunn continues to inspire many.
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Marriage: Gunn is married to Samuel Free, who is also her coach.
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Training Routine: She trains three to four hours a day, emphasizing creativity in her performances.
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Unique Style: Her dance style is characterized by originality and creativity.
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Media Appearances: Gunn's performance was satirized on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
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Defending Her Performance: Gunn defended her performance, emphasizing the artistic and creative aspects of breaking.
Selection and Qualification
The process behind Gunn's selection to the Australian Olympic Team was transparent and independent.
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Selection Process: Gunn was selected through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process.
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AOC Statement: The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) defended her selection, condemning the anonymous petition.
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Chef de Mission Support: Australia's Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, publicly supported Gunn.
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Judging Panel: The judging panel for the Oceania Breaking Championships did not include any Australians, including Gunn's husband.
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AUSBreaking Clarification: AUSBreaking clarified that Gunn did not found the organization nor was she involved in its leadership.
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Public Support: Gunn received public support from various figures in the breaking community and beyond.
Mental Health and Online Harassment
The intense online criticism took a toll on Gunn's mental health, but she remained resilient.
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Mental Health Concerns: The World DanceSport Federation expressed concerns about Gunn's mental health.
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Online Harassment: Gunn faced significant online harassment, with false information about her qualifications and training.
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Instagram Post: In an Instagram post, Gunn expressed gratitude for the positivity she received but acknowledged the devastating hate.
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Pre-Olympic Preparation: Gunn took her preparation for the Olympics seriously, working hard to perfect her moves.
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Post-Olympic Life: Despite the controversy, Gunn remains a prominent figure in the breaking community.
Media Coverage and Viral Impact
Gunn's Olympic performance received extensive media coverage and went viral on social media.
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Media Coverage: Her performance was covered by Business Insider, Good Morning America, and CBS News.
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Social Media Impact: Her performance went viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
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Meme Culture: The meme culture surrounding Gunn's performance was both mocking and critical.
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Satirical Posts: False screenshots of satirical social media posts were spread as fact.
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Debunking Misinformation: The Australian Olympic Committee and AUSBreaking debunked the virulent claims about Gunn's breakdancing career.
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Qualification Process: Gunn qualified for the Olympics through the 2023 WDSF Oceania Breaking Championship.
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NBC Report on Memes: Memes can dehumanize their subjects, even when juxtaposed against reasonable criticism.
Future of Breaking and Raygun's Legacy
The future of breaking and Gunn's legacy remain significant topics of discussion.
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Future of Breaking: Despite not appearing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, breaking may get another shot at the Brisbane games in 2032.
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Raygun's Status: The future of Gunn's career remains uncertain, but her status as a conspiracy figure and internet villain may change.
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Instagram Video: In a video posted to Instagram, Gunn spoke about the impact of online trolling on her and her family.
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Breaking Community Support: The breaking community rallied around Gunn, praising her for her originality and creativity.
Raygun's Impact on Breaking and Beyond
Rachael Gunn, or Raygun, has left a significant mark on the world of breaking and academia. From her early days in Hornsby, New South Wales, to her viral performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Gunn's journey is a testament to creativity and perseverance. Despite facing intense online criticism and bullying, she remains a respected figure in the breaking community. Her academic work, particularly her PhD thesis on gender in breaking, adds depth to her contributions. Gunn's unique dance style and dedication to her craft have inspired many, proving that originality and hard work can lead to success. As she continues her academic career and possibly returns to competitive breaking, Gunn's legacy will undoubtedly influence future generations of B-girls and B-boys. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience needed to thrive in both sports and academia.
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