Raygun Ranked World’s Top Breaker: Insights from the Sport’s Governing Body

Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, widely recognized as “b-girl Raygun,” has claimed the top position in the latest world rankings of her sport, despite facing criticism online over her performance at the Olympics.

This past Tuesday, the World DanceSport Federation aimed to clarify the criteria behind Raygun’s ranking after it stirred up controversy.

Rachael Gunn, a 37-year-old university lecturer from Sydney, did not earn any points during her routines at the Paris Olympics, which included a performance featuring a “kangaroo” dance. This performance was met with ridicule on social media.

The WDSF explained that the ranking system is based on an athlete’s best four performances within the past year, explicitly excluding the Olympic events, including the recent Paris Games and qualification events held in Shanghai and Budapest.

Between December 2023 and the Olympics, no ranking events took place, allowing athletes to concentrate on their qualifications for the Games.

The federation noted that the unique situation surrounding this year’s competition calendar left many athletes, including Raygun, ranked based on just one event. For her, a victory at the Oceania continental championships in October 2023 awarded her 1,000 points, securing her position at the top.

Critics within the breaking community have expressed dissatisfaction with the rankings, arguing they fail to reflect the true state of breaking as both a sport and a cultural movement.

Zack Slusser, who serves as the vice president of Breaking for Gold USA, voiced his concerns, stating, “Speaking of the WDSF, they actually don’t have any real merit with the breakers or the breaking community.” He mentioned that organizing events meaningful to the culture has not been a priority for the federation.

According to Slusser, breakers participated in WDSF-organized events primarily to accumulate points required for qualifying for the Paris Olympics. Once eligibility was secured, he claimed there was little incentive or enthusiasm left to continue involvement with the federation.

“Because they’re not cultural events. They are not enjoyable,” Slusser added, expressing the need for events that resonate more with the community spirit of breaking.

In contrast to the WDSF’s approach, Slusser highlighted international breaking competitions, such as the Red Bull BC One championships, describing these events as festival-like experiences that prioritize the culture and atmosphere that breaking embodies.

These gatherings foster community, allowing participants to celebrate their passion rather than merely compete for points and rankings.

The World DanceSport Federation announced that rankings are expected to shift as more events are held, starting with the Breaking for Gold World Series in Shanghai this October.

As the breaking community looks ahead, there is hope that upcoming competitions will provide a more accurate representation of its athletes and the culture they strive to promote. With significant events on the horizon, the landscape of breaking may soon experience a transformation.

The world eagerly awaits how rankings will adjust and how athletes like Raygun will perform as they face off in more culturally resonant competitions.

Source: Associated Press