Rachael « Raygun » Gunn has announced that her professional breakdancing career is over, citing the online reaction to her Paris Olympics performance.
Gunn — the Australian dancer who went viral for her unorthodox performance at the Games in August — said that while she still breaks, she’s not going to compete anymore.
On Australia’s 2DayFM « The Jimmy and Nath Show, » Gunn, 37, said Wednesday that she breaks at home only with her partner, as it has become « really difficult » for her to do now.
« Dancing is so much fun, and it makes you feel good, and I don’t think people should feel crap about, you know, the way that they dance, » she said on the radio show.
In a series of three round-robin matches, Gunn displayed breaking moves like rolling on her back, spinning on her head and « the kangaroo, » a move uniquely hers. She was awarded zero points at the Olympics, leading many to wonder how she qualified for the Games to begin with.
As videos of her performances went viral, so did conspiracy theories about her entry into the competition. One of the most famous internet rumors suggested she was an « industry plant » entered to rig the Games.
For Gunn, these theories were « totally wild » and « impossible to process. »
« It was really upsetting, because I felt like I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was, » she said.
She blamed the negative perception of her on the internet and the unexpected level of publicity it led to as reasons she decided to stop competing.
« I think the level of scrutiny that’s going to be there and the people who will be filming it and it’ll go online, it’s just not going to mean the same thing,” she said. “It’s not going to be the same experience because of everything that’s at stake. »
Asked specifically whether she’d ever compete at the Olympics again, she immediately answered, « No. »
« I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems a really difficult thing for me to do now, » she said.
While her competitive days may be behind her, Gunn seems to have found another way to keep her love for breaking alive.
Last week, she launched the #RaygunChallenge, a contest challenging breakdancers to show off their moves.
« I’ve heard some of you think you can do better than me, » Gunn said in a joint Instagram post with Finder Australia. « Really? Let’s find out, shall we? »
Contestants must use the « Finder Beat » and upload their videos to TikTok or Instagram with the hashtag #RaygunChallenge and Finder Australia’s Instagram account tagged to enter.
The best solo dancer will win $5,000 Australian, and the best group dance will earn $10,000 Australian. The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. AET (8 a.m. ET) Monday. Finalists will be announced on Nov. 14, and fan voting will take place for the following week before winners are announced at 12 p.m. AET Nov. 22.
