Kristina Makushenko, a retired four-time world champion in synchronized swimming, performed Rachael Gunn’s viral breakdance routine from the 2024 Paris Olympics — while under water and wearing high heels.
Gunn, an Australian professional breakdancer, made headlines after competing under the name “Raygun” and scoring zero points for her now viral routine at the Summer Games.
Kristina Makushenko, a former four-time World Champion in synchronized swimming, performed Rachael Gunn’s breakdance routine from the 2024 Paris Olympics while underwater and wearing high heels. Instagram/Kristina Makushenko Kristina Makushenko, a former four-time World Champion in synchronized swimming, performed Rachael Gunn’s breakdance routine from the 2024 Paris Olympics while underwater and wearing high heels. Instagram/Kristina Makushenko
“Underwater Breakdance Olympics 2024,” Makushenko wrote, including a video of her rendition of Gunn’s choreography in the pool. “Such signature moves 🇦🇺🦘🐍 ⠀ “It only took me 5 minutes to learn RayGun’s Olympic performance and recreate it underwater❗️ Maybe I can participate in the Olympics in LA 2028.”
The 36-year-old Gunn — who is also a lecturer at Macquarie University in the department of media, communications, creative arts, literature and language — faced criticism over her moves at the Paris Games on Aug. 9.
Raygun of Team Australia competes during the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place de la Concorde on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France. Getty Images
She went viral for her routine and finished last with zero points against her three competitors: Team USA’s b-girl Logistx, Syssy of France and Lithuania’s Nicka.
Gunn didn’t earn a single point in her three rounds of the Round Robin portion of the competition in Paris, and was trolled on social media.
Raygun competes during the Breaking B-Girls Round Robin Group B battle between Raygun and Syssy on Day 14 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at La Concorde on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France. DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Makushenko — who has 918,000 Instagram followers — asked “Do you think I can qualify for Olympics 2028” in the comments.
The Russian athlete garnered attention on social media for performing elaborate underwater dances in high heels to songs by Beyonce, Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson.
Kristina Makushenko in Miami in June 2024. Instagram/Kristina Makushenko
Makushenko started posted her dancing videos on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic for fun, she told Newsweek, adding that her social media skyrocketed after partnering with Nike swimwear.
Since then, a number of Makushenko’s underwater pool performances have gone viral with millions of views.
Kristina Makushenko in Moorea in November 2023. Instagram/Kristina Makushenko
Makushenko began swimming as a young child.
“I actually started doing regular swimming, and then three months later my coach recommended artistic swimming because she saw my natural flexibility and floating abilities,” she said.
She moved to Miami to work as a coach after retiring from the sport.
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