Open in App
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Newsletter
  • New York Post

    Australian Olympian ‘Raygun’ gets hero’s welcome after breakdancing fiasco

    By Bradley Locker,

    6 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0AQErD_0uvXL3gs00

    You don’t need a medal, or even a single Olympic point, to be celebrated by your own country.

    After returning to Australia from the Olympic breaking (or breakdancing) competition in Paris, Rachael “Raygun” Gunn was greeted with cheers in her home nation.

    The 36-year-old was encircled by supporters, at which point she broke out a routine to Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” right on the street — featuring twirls and a headstand.

    Ladies and gentlemen, the Aussie Jojo Siwa is home. #Raygun pic.twitter.com/Q2t6UZna7p

    — Kim Wexler's Ponytail 🐝💛🪷🎗😺 (@MadisonKittay) August 11, 2024

    Jordan Chiles’ Olympic bronze not returned despite ‘conclusive’ evidence as gymnastic controversy rages on

    The replies to Gunn’s arrival continued to make light of her infamous Olympic showing, in which she did not receive a single vote in three separate head-to-head breakdancing competitions.

    “This isn’t horrible for an amateur but she’s supposed to be great,” wrote one social media user.

    “She know damn good and well she didn’t do all those moves that the Olympics,” another insinuated.

    Noah Lyles partied it up in Paris days after Olympic COVID withdrawal

    Gunn went viral for the wrong reasons , as fans were bemused by her awkward combinations, eccentric uniform and somewhat over-the-top maneuvers.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3G3Z2B_0uvXL3gs00
    Gunn’s actual routine also incorporated a headstand. AP

    Nonetheless, “Raygun” didn’t let her spirit fall victim to the same fate as her scorecards.

    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR STARTING LINEUP NEWSLETTER

    “All my moves are original,” she said in Paris . “I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage? I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way.”

    Japan’s Ami Yuasa (Ami), Lithuania’s Dominika Banevic (Nicka) and China’s Liu Qingyi (671) rounded out the podium in the B-Girls category in the inaugural Olympic breaking showdown.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4elhEV_0uvXL3gs00
    Gunn didn’t tally a single point in her three matches against Logistx, Syssy and Nicka. AFP via Getty Images

    While not circling the Olympic stage, Gunn commands the lectern as a lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney, where she actually focuses on “the cultural politics of breaking,” per the school’s website.

    Gunn also works in the Macquarie University Performance and Expertise Research Centre.

    For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/

    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0