Australian Breakdancer ‘Raygun’ Goes Viral for Unique Olympics Performance

Breakdancer Rachel “Raygun” Gunn captivated audiences at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday. Although she didn’t receive any votes from the judges and lost each of her group matches, the 36-year-old college professor went viral for her quirky breakdance performance.

Raygun’s routine was unconventional and eye-catching. She moved across the stage with quirky headstands and shoulder rolls, creating one of the most memorable performances of these Summer Games. Her unique style instantly made her an internet sensation.

I could live all my life and never come up with anything as funny as Raygun, shared one online commenter, illustrating the impact of her breakout performance. Throughout the day, the internet buzzed with memes and reactions to her technique.

Raygun’s moves have not just entertained, but also sparked both admiration and hilarity. “There has not been an Olympic performance this dominant since Usain Bolt’s 100m sprint at Beijing in 2008,” tweeted another user, adding humorously, “The moment Raygun broke out her Kangaroo move, this competition was over! Give her the #breakdancing gold 🥇.”

Even with her unconventional approach and lack of judge approval, Raygun showcased her passion for breakdancing. The Australian dancer, who only began breaking in her mid-20s, had earlier acknowledged her distinctive style in an interview.

“My specialty is style and creativity, not dynamics or power moves like many other dancers,” Raygun told CNBC before her Olympic debut. “I’ve ticked most of these boxes because it’s my specialty. I don’t know if it’s going to be valued as much as some of the other criteria, but I hope people are still wowed by what I bring since it’s something different.”

Despite becoming an internet meme and not receiving any votes from the Olympic judges, Raygun remained positive.

“Look, I came into the event kind of expecting that I wouldn’t get a vote,” Gunn told Yahoo Sports after her performance. “It was amazing. Such an amazing experience. What a stage, what an arena, what a crowd. Music was great. Like, oh, so, so grateful for the opportunity.”

Raygun’s bubbly personality and creativity have won her fans from all over the world, solidifying her place as both a competitor and entertainer in the 2024 Paris Games.

Raygun’s unique performance, regardless of judge’s votes, demonstrated that Olympic spirit is not solely defined by medals but also by creativity, passion, and the ability to bring joy to audiences worldwide.

Source: CNBC, Yahoo Sports