Raygun

2024 - 8 - 13

Australia’s Raygun: The Breakdancer That Broke the Internet (and Some Judges)

2024 Paris Olympics - Australian athletes - breakdancing - Jess Fox - Rachael Gunn - Rachel Dratch - Raygun - TV comedy - viral memes

Who knew breakdancing could spark a storm?! Meet Raygun, the Australian b-girl who's both a viral sensation and a family defender! 🇦🇺✨

In an unforgettable moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, affectionately known as Raygun, set the stage ablaze with her unconventional moves and unique style. However, instead of fabulous scores, she walked away with zero points, much to the bewilderment of fans and judges alike. Sporting dance moves reminiscent of a kangaroo paw, Rachael was met with mockery and derision, yet it only amplified the cheers from her fellow Aussies who proudly dubbed her their Napoleon Vegemite for daring to be different.

It wasn’t just the audience that was captivated by her performance. The spotlight shone brightly on Raygun, even attracting the attention of television stars. Rachel Dratch, a renowned comedian, paid homage to Gun's performance by crashing Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show,' delivering a hilarious spoof that further solidified her status as the breakout star of these games. The spotlight hasn’t just triggered laughter but initiated serious conversations too, as her family stepped up to defend her against the harsh judgment of Olympic judges.

After the event, Raygun’s family took to social media, criticizing the judges’ decisions and voicing their outrage over the treatment she received. This bold move garnered an outpouring of support, with many taking to platforms to ensure that the world knew this b-girl was not just about the scores, but about a revolution in a dance style that’s been long overdue in the competitive arena. The performance that once stunned an audience became a rallying point for conversations around authentic expression in sport.

Even amidst controversy, Raygun has captured the internet’s imagination, with social media platforms buzzing about her daring antics. Some have even accused her of deliberately aiming for zero points, igniting fierce debates among fans and critics alike. As eyes turn to the next Olympics, one thing is certain: Raygun isn't just another competitor in the world of breakdancing; she’s a symbol of bold expression and unfiltered creativity.

Did you know that breakdancing has roots that trace back to the streets of New York in the 1970s? The dance style brought together elements of hip-hop culture, and has since become a global phenomenon that transcends cultural barriers. Furthermore, Raygun's unique blending of contemporary and traditional breakdance styles is refreshing in a sport typically dominated by male performers, making her an inspiration for future generations of dancers.

As we give respect to this fierce female competitor, let’s remember: breakdancing may have just been introduced into the Olympic Games, but it’s clear that Raygun's headline-making moves will echo for many competitions to come!

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

In Australia, Raygun's zero points in Olympic breaking is a perfect ... (The Washington Post)

Rachael Gunn, aka Raygun, drew mockery for dance moves like the kangaroo paw. But that didn't stop Aussies from cheering their Napoleon Vegemite for “having ...

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Image courtesy of "Variety"

Rachel Dratch Spoofs Olympic Breakdancer Raygun on Jimmy ... (Variety)

Rachel Dratch crashed Jimmy Fallon's 'Tonight Show' monologue on Monday night to spoof Olympic breakdancer Raygun.

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Olympics 2024: Australian breakdancer Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn's ... (New Zealand Herald)

Family of Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn have broken their silence by taking aim at the Olympics breaking judges. The 36-year-old, also known as Raygun ...

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'Was a little shocked': Breakers 'terrified' to perform in sad fallout ... (Fox Sports)

'Was a little shocked': Breakers 'terrified' to perform in sad fallout from Raygun online storm.

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Image courtesy of "The indy100"

Raygun's family hit back at Olympic judges over brutal breakdance ... (The indy100)

The now-iconic Australian breakdancer Rachel Gunn has been flooded with support ever since she blew up the internet. And now, her family has stepped in.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Mail"

Raygun: Tell-tale signs from Australia breakdancer's PhD that she ... (Daily Mail)

Rachael Gunn shocked the world with her memorable performance at the Olympic Games in Paris, with fans stunned by the Australian's unconventional ...

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Image courtesy of "101 ESPN"

Viral Olympic breakdancer Raygun defends her performance – 101 ... (101 ESPN)

(NEW YORK) -- When breaking, or breakdancing, made its debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the sport quickly had its breakout star, b-girl Raygun, ...

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Image courtesy of "New York Post"

Raygun accused of 'getting zero points on purpose' in Olympic ... (New York Post)

Olympic breakdancer Dr. Rachael Gunn has been accused of aiming for “zero points on purpose” and being “disrespectful” to other Australian athletes by a ...

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Parodied on 'The Tonight Show with ... (Sports Illustrated)

No athlete at the 2024 Paris Olympics captured the imaginations of the internet quite like Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, a.k.a. "Raygun.

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Image courtesy of "Rolling Stone"

Rachel Dratch Flops and Hops as Olympic Breakdancer Raygun on ... (Rolling Stone)

While the Olympics were full of standout moments, none quite compared to Rachel “Raygun” Gunn's performance during the breaking competition.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'It doesn't reflect us': Global mockery of Raygun's Paris Olympics ... (The Guardian)

Australian breakers say Rachael Gunn won her spot fair and square but that there are flaws in selection process.

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Image courtesy of "TheWrap"

Rachel Dratch Crashes 'The Tonight Show' as Viral Australian ... (TheWrap)

Rachel Dratch crashed The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Raygun, the Australian Olympic breakdancer.

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Image courtesy of "Billboard"

Rachel Dratch Interrupts Jimmy Fallon Monologue With Hilarious ... (Billboard)

Rachel Dratch did a hilarious Raygun breakdancing impression on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' following the Olympics. Watch.

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Image courtesy of "The Independent"

Jimmy Fallon brutally mocks Australian breakdancer Raygun on The ... (The Independent)

Australia's B-Girl Raygun stole the show at the first breaking competition at the Olympics.

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Image courtesy of "Business Insider"

Who is Raygun? Olympic breakdancer's memes and controversy ... (Business Insider)

The 2024 Paris Olympics debuted breaking (aka breakdancing) as a competition sport. One Australian competitor, "Raygun," became a viral meme.

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Image courtesy of "MARCA.com"

"Raygun" Gunn rigged her way into Paris 2024: Tiktokers expose the ... (MARCA.com)

Breakdancing had a sad debut and farewell as an Olympic sport in Paris 2024. The popular urban dance that tried to establish itself in the taste of sports ...

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

US talk show host mocks Aussie Olympic cult hero on live TV (Fox Sports)

US talk show host mocks Aussie Olympic cult hero on live TV.

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

Olympic plane lands without Raygun (NEWS.com.au)

Australia's breakdancing sensation, Rachael 'Raygun' Gunn, will not be joining her fellow Olympic athletes as they return home after the conclusion of the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

Raygun is now Australia's most famous dancer. What does she ... (The Conversation AU)

The inclusion of breaking in the 2024 Olympic Games certainly raised eyebrows. And now, Australian competitor Rachael Gunn (known as “Raygun”) is one of the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

'It is devastating for her': Fox defends Raygun as global pile-on takes ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox said Rachael Gunn is suffering after her breaking performance in Paris became the subject of “awful” global ridicule and ...

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Image courtesy of "GMA News Online"

Aussie Olympic breakdancer 'Raygun' fires back at online critics (GMA News Online)

Rachael "Raygun" Gunn's breaking performance, featuring one move compared to a kangaroo hopping, lost all three of her match-ups against rival dancers, ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Aussie Olympians defend scorned breakdancer 'Raygun' (FRANCE 24)

Australia's Olympians returned home Wednesday and mounted a resolute defence of their breakdancing colleague against "awful" critics, comics and keyboard ...

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Image courtesy of "Philstar.com"

Aussie Olympians defend scorned breakdancer 'Raygun' (Philstar.com)

Australia's Olympians returned home Wednesday and mounted a resolute defense of their breakdancing colleague against "awful" critics, comics and keyboard ...

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'Get around her': Teammates rally around absent Raygun; Titmus ... (Fox Sports)

'Get around her': Teammates rally around absent Raygun; Titmus' tears in emotional Aussie return.

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Image courtesy of "Insidethegames.biz"

Australian breakdancer "Raygun" defended for performance (Insidethegames.biz)

Australia's Olympians returned home on Wednesday, standing firmly in defense of their breakdancing teammate against harsh critics, comedians, ...

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Image courtesy of "Hindustan Times"

Raygun accused of scoring zero points at Olympics 'on purpose' as ... (Hindustan Times)

Raygun faces intense backlash as fellow academic accuses her of scoring zero points at the Paris Olympics 2024 'on purpose'

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Image courtesy of "Cosmopolitan.com"

Thousands Reportedly Sign Petition to Hold Raygun Accountable ... (Cosmopolitan.com)

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee, Raygun (aka Rachel Gunn) is accused by critics of manipulating ...

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Image courtesy of "Vox"

How Raygun earned her spot — fair and square — as an Olympics ... (Vox)

In October 2023, members of the the World DanceSport Federation, or WDSF, learned breaking, the sport they'd been trying to make happen at the Olympics for ...

Fan Petition Calls Raygun's Olympic Selection Into Question (Lexington Herald Leader)

Signers of the petition are calling for a "public apology" from Raygun and Meares for "misleading the Australian public and attempting to gaslight the ...

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Image courtesy of "Vogue.com"

Raygun 101: Everything You Need to Know About Australia's ... (Vogue.com)

What is Rachel Gunn's background? · How did Raygun qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics? · What's the controversy associated with Raygun? · Has Raygun spoken out ...

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'Infinitely more skilled': Breakdancer who lost to Raygun goes viral (Fox Sports)

Wollongong's Molly Chapman was defeated by Gunn in the WDSF Oceania Championships held at Sydney's Town Hall last October to book her place to the Olympics. It ...

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