Rachael Gunn Explained

Birth Name:Rachael Louise Gunn
Birth Date:1987 9, df=y
Birth Place:Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia
Othernames:Raygun
Spouse:Samuel Free
Education:Macquarie University (BA, PhD)
Thesis Title:Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl's Experience of B-boying
Thesis Year:2017
Thesis Url:https://doi.org/10.25949/19433291.v1
Doctoral Advisor:Diane Hughes
Discipline:Cultural studies
Workplaces:Macquarie University

Rachael Louise Gunn (born 2 September 1987), known competitively as Raygun, is an Australian academic and competitive breakdancer. She is a lecturer in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature at Macquarie University Faculty of Arts.

Gunn gained media attention after competing in breaking at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the sport's debut at the Games. She received a score of zero in battles against three opponents and did not progress past the first round. After her performance, Gunn became the subject of widespread criticism and online bullying. An anonymously-filed petition on the website Change.org calling for an investigation into Gunn's position on the Australian Olympic Team was removed after being reported by the Australian Olympic Committee for containing misinformation and defamatory content.

Early life and education

Rachael Louise Gunn was born on 2 September 1987[1] in Hornsby, New South Wales. She danced as a child, and was trained in ballroom, tap, and jazz styles.[2]

Gunn attended Barker College[3] before enrolling at Macquarie University, where she completed a bachelor's degree in contemporary music in 2009 and a PhD in cultural studies in 2017. Her PhD thesis, titled Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl's Experience of B-boying, explored "the intersection of gender and Sydney's breaking culture". Her doctoral advisor was Diane Hughes.[4]

Dance career

Before breakdancing, Gunn practised jazz, tap, and ballroom dancing, and competed in the last.[5] Her boyfriend, later husband, had been breakdancing for 10 years and encouraged her to try it.[1] She began breakdancing in the early 2010s, when she was in her mid-twenties. Gunn paused competitive breakdancing career to complete her PhD, returning to competitions in 2018.

Gunn performs under the nickname Raygun, which is sometimes prefixed with the descriptor b-girl. She is coached by her husband, Samuel Free,[6] and says that she trains three to four hours a day.[7]

Gunn ranked 2nd in the Australian Open B-girl Ranking in 2022[8] and topped the ranking in 2023 in Australia[9] as well as winning or coming in the top three at many Australian breaking events over the past five to ten years.[10] She represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in Paris (2021), Seoul (2022), and Leuven (2023). In 2023, she won the Oceania Breaking Championships, securing her spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics according to the qualifying rules.

2024 Olympics

In the breaking event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Gunn did not receive any points from the judges in each of her three round-robin battles against her opponents, losing 18–0 in all three rounds.[11] [12] She was eliminated at the round-robin stage after being beaten by Logistx (US), Syssy (France), and Nicka (Lithuania).[13] [14] As her performance and outfit did not match her competitors' street style, Gunn was subject to widespread criticism online.[15] [16] [17] In response, Gunn shared a quote on Instagram: "don't be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that's gonna take you".[18] She said she could not compete athletically with her younger rivals,[19] and said she instead wanted to "move differently, be artistic and creative. ... I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way".[5]

Team Australia's Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, later issued a statement supporting Gunn and condemning what she called "trolls and keyboard warriors".[20] Martin Gilian, the Head Olympic breaking judge, said that Raygun had done exactly what breaking is supposed to be about: "originality and bringing something new to the table and representing your country or region", which he said she achieved with her kangaroo hop.[21] He added that the breaking community stood behind her. The World DanceSport Federation also offered the support of their safeguarding officer in case Gunn was experiencing mental health problems due to the media attention.[22] [23] [24]

In the aftermath of the event, false rumours spread that Gunn's husband, Free, was a national coach involved in the Australian team selection and a judge in the Oceania Breaking Championships through which Gunn qualified. However, the Oceania qualifier did not have Free nor any other Australians on its judging panel, used the same rules as the Paris games, and was open to everyone.[25]

An anonymous petition on Change.org, calling for an investigation into the conduct of Gunn, Anna Meares, and the selection process, garnered thousands of signatures. This petition aimed to hold Gunn accountable for "unethical conduct" at the games, also accusing Raygun of "manipulating the selection process" while calling for a public apology from both Gunn and Meares.[26] [27] The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) chief executive Matt Carroll demanded the petition be withdrawn, saying it amounted to "bullying and harassment and is defamatory" and that the AOC was especially offended by the insult to Meares. It stated that the Australian selection was made by 9 independent international judges, and that Gunn was nominated legitimately by DanceSport Australia to the AOC for selection. Gunn is not any kind of officeholder with AUSBreaking nor DanceSport, and no athlete appealed against her selection.[28] [29] The petition was withdrawn by Change.org on 15 August 2024.

On the same day, Gunn posted a video on social media talking of the effect that the trolling expressed on social media had had on her and her family, and asked media to stop harassing her family, friends, and the Australian and broader breaking community. She said she had taken her entry seriously and worked hard to prepare.[30]

Academic career

Gunn is a lecturer at Macquarie University Faculty of Arts in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature.[31] [32]

Her research focuses on breaking, street dance, hip-hop, youth culture, and gender in politics. She is a member of the Macquarie University Performance and Expertise Research Centre.

Personal life

Gunn met her husband, fellow breakdancer Samuel Free, at university in 2008.

Publications

Journal articles

Book chapters

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: RAYGUN . Olympics.com . 26 July 2024 . 27 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727161239/https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/-raygun_1940107 . live .
  2. News: Snape . Jack . 2024-04-20 . Breaker Rachael Gunn: 'We are essentially being used to up the Olympic ratings' . 2024-07-07 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816072452/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr/21/breaker-rachael-gunn-we-are-essentially-being-used-to-up-the-olympic-ratings . live .
  3. The Barker, Issue 67, August 2005, p.24. Download here
  4. Gunn. Rachael Louise. 2017. Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl's Experience of B-boying. PhD. Macquarie University. 10.25949/19433291.v1. 1959.14/1275136.
  5. Wedesweiler . Madeleine . Rachael . Gunn . Meet Raygun, the Australian academic who made history in Olympic breaking . SBS News . 9 August 2024 . 12 August 2024 . 12 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240812000128/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/none-of-this-is-easy-meet-the-australian-academic-making-history-in-olympic-breaking/6h1lukn75 . live .
  6. Web site: Rocca . Jane . 2024-07-03 . She is 36, has a PhD and is heading to the Olympics to compete in breakdancing . 2024-07-07 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816072457/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/she-is-36-has-a-phd-and-is-heading-to-the-olympics-to-compete-in-breakdancing-20240619-p5jn61.html . live .
  7. Web site: Gebilagin . Lizza . 2024-03-11 . How Rachael Gunn is breakdancing her way to the Paris Olympics . Body and Soul.
  8. Web site: Open Bgirl Ranking 2022 Australia. 2022. 12 August 2024.
  9. Web site: Open Bgirl Ranking 2023 Australia. 2023. 12 August 2024. 12 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240812051542/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/61d3b7be9cdfdd09b5c61fcf/t/65c4218bf011b4775aa29f64/1707352459488/A.B.A.+-+NRS+2023.xlsx+-+2023+final+upload+Open+Bgirl+ranking.pdf. live.
  10. Web site: Gbogbo . Mawunyo . How did Raygun qualify for the Olympics? Is she really the best Australia has to offer? . . 12 August 2024 . 13 August 2024 . 13 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240813002748/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-12/raygun-slammed-as-audacious-as-others-come-to-her-defence/104215942 . live .
  11. Web site: Raygun: Judge defends breaking routine that scored zero points at Paris Olympics . 2024-08-13 . Sky News . en . 13 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240813202047/https://news.sky.com/story/raygun-judge-defends-breaking-routine-that-scored-zero-points-at-paris-olympics-13195885 . live.
  12. Web site: In Australia, Raygun’s zero in Olympic breaking is a perfect score. en. 2024-08-16 . The Washington Post.
  13. Web site: Raygun Events and Medals, Paris Olympics 2024 . olympics.com . 26 July 2024 . 27 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240727161239/https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/-raygun_1940107 . live.
  14. Web site: Pu . Jason . Raygun, The Australian Breakdancer In The Olympics: Explained . . 10 August 2024 . 13 August 2024 . 13 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240813090506/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpu/2024/08/10/the-australian-breakdancer-in-the-olympics-explained/ . live.
  15. Web site: Forward . Devon . 2024-08-11 . Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Sends a Bold Message to Her Fashion Critics . 2024-08-14 . Parade . en . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814171803/https://parade.com/news/olympic-breakdancer-raygun-bold-message-fashion-critics-photo . live.
  16. News: Stewart . Dodai . Minsberg . Talya . 2024-08-09 . The Australian Professor Who Turned Breaking on Its Head . 2024-08-14 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331 . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814171803/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/09/world/olympics/olympics-breaking-raygun.html?utm_source=pocket_saves . live.
  17. Web site: Willix . Pierra . 2024-08-11 . The Simpsons fans gobsmacked after another prediction 'comes true' . 2024-08-18 . Metro . en.
  18. News: 2024-08-10 . 'Australia's first Olympic breaker 'Raygun' vows to keep being herself after online hate' . 2024-08-10 . The Guardian . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816072500/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/10/paris-2024-olympics-breakdancing-breaking-australia-breaker-raygun-rachael-gunn-online-hate . live.
  19. Web site: 2024-08-10 . Raygun hits back at online hate as breaking moves at the Olympics go viral . 2024-08-10 . The Independent . en . 10 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240810201231/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/raygun-breaking-olympics-australia-rachael-gunn-b2594322.html . live.
  20. Web site: 2024-08-10 . Australia exec upset by trolling of breaker Raygun . 2024-08-10 . ESPN.com . en . 11 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240811035931/https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/40805842/australian-sports-exec-unhappy-trolling-breaker-raygun . live.
  21. Web site: Top breakdancing judge praises Raygun's kangaroo move as singer Adele weighs in . . 12 August 2024 . 12 August 2024 . 12 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240812005757/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/nothing-shocking-top-breakdancing-judge-praises-rayguns-kangaroo-move-for-originality/vsikcbjyz . live.
  22. Web site: Maguire . Ken . Breaking community defends b-girl Raygun and is hopeful for return to Olympic program . Associated Press . 11 August 2024 . 14 August 2024 . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814002047/https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-breaking-raygun-460a04ea70bef78e401ace415eb293db . live.
  23. Web site: Breaking community shows support for viral b-girl Raygun, says she was trying to be original . KUSA . 9 August 2024 . 14 August 2024 . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816072502/https://www.9news.com/article/sports/olympics/australian-breaker-raygun-defended-by-community/507-331ce0a5-b5b9-4524-88d2-0cf471a65015 . live.
  24. Web site: Paris 2024: Officials support Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn . . video . 12 August 2024 . 16 August 2024 . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815064540/https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/videos/c0qew0823pjo . live.
  25. News: Wark . Tom . August 13, 2024 . No, Raygun's Olympic selection not an inside job . August 14, 2024 . . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814232845/https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/no-rayguns-olympic-selection-not-an-inside-job/ . live.
  26. Web site: Cummings-Grady . Mackenzie . 2024-08-14 . Thousands Sign Petition Claiming Olympic Breakdancer RayGun Should Be Held Accountable for Unethical Conduct . 2024-08-14 . XXL Mag . en . 14 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240814184114/https://www.xxlmag.com/raygun-breakdancer-petition/ . live.
  27. Web site: 2024-08-14 . Thousands Reportedly Sign Petition to Hold Raygun Accountable for "Unethical Conduct" . Mehera . Bonner . 2024-08-14 . Cosmopolitan . en-US . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816072443/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a61874957/raygun-backlash-explained/ . live.
  28. Web site: Rachael Gunn: AOC defends Aussie breakdancer Raygun against 'disgraceful' online petition . 2024-08-15 . . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815105546/https://www.9news.com.au/national/aoc-defends-aussie-breakdancer-rachal-gunn-raygun-amid-disgraceful-online-petition/78b88c2d-3436-4a45-81b1-0aceced14b8e . live.
  29. Web site: Michaels . Jake . Aussie officials condemn petition against Raygun . ESPN.com . 15 August 2024 . 16 August 2024 . 15 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815232207/https://www.espn.com.au/olympics/story/_/id/40866148/australian-olympic-committee-wants-petition-breaker-raygun-removed . live.
  30. Web site: Raygun: Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn calls Olympic performance backlash "devastating" . . 15 August 2024 . 16 August 2024 . 16 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240816011135/https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/cq82yjw5xelo . live.
  31. Web site: Rachael Gunn . 2024-07-07 . Macquarie University . en-GB . 7 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240707040729/https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/persons/rachael-gunn . live .
  32. Web site: 2024-02-24 . Rachael Gunn . 2024-07-07 . Australian Olympic Committee . en-AU . 7 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240707040730/https://www.olympics.com.au/olympians/rachael-gunn/ . live .

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