How Did Breakdancer Molly Chapman Lose to RayGun in Olympic Qualifiers?

RayGun has emerged as the unexpected breakout star of the Paris Olympics, gaining significant attention on social media after her performance, despite not scoring a single point from the judges over three rounds.

What began as a simple online fascination with one of the most talked about moments of the games has now taken a more troubling turn. A petition criticizing RayGun has amassed over 45,000 signatures, accusing her of “manipulating the selection process for her own advantage” and questioning the “fairness and integrity of the process.”

Claims made online against RayGun and her husband regarding her Olympic selection have been debunked since the petition’s launch. Allegations suggested that Gunn, her husband, and her coach Samuel Free were the founders of the Australian Breaking Association—the organization responsible for selecting participants for the games. However, these claims have been refuted by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Attention has now turned towards the Olympic qualifiers in which RayGun earned her spot. Many have been watching videos of dancer Molly Chapman, also known as Holy Molly, who competed against RayGun. These clips have sparked questions about how Chapman could have missed the opportunity to represent her country while RayGun failed to score a point.

In response, it has been confirmed that RayGun won “fair and square.” The two competed at the 2023 WDSF Oceania Championships, a qualifying event held in Sydney in October. One of the ten judges who awarded the win to RayGun was Te Hiiritanga Wepiha, known as Rush.

In a recent Instagram livestream, Rush provided context for RayGun’s victory, explaining that she earned 51 points compared to Chapman’s 50. “She rocked up like everybody else. She won fair and square. She won by majority decision, she battled like everyone else … it’s not that deep,” he stated.

This controversy comes after Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) Chief Executive Officer Matt Carroll condemned the “appalling” petition against RayGun, calling for its immediate withdrawal due to its “vexatious, misleading, and bullying” nature. Carroll released a statement asserting that the petition contained “falsehoods” about Gunn’s selection, which was conducted “through a transparent and independent qualification event and nomination process.”

Source: Sydney Morning Herald