Australian Olympian Rachael “Breakdancer Raygun” Gunn revealed she hasn’t yet watched her full breakdance performance from the 2024 Paris Olympics in her first comprehensive interview since her routine went viral.
“I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, but I haven’t watched the entire routine yet,” the 36-year-old breakdancer shared during her appearance on Australia’s Network 10’s “The Project” on Wednesday. “That’s not unusual for me; I’m not great at revisiting my battles.”
Raygun, who participated in three Olympic breakdance battles, mentioned she’s not currently in the right frame of mind to view a sketch that aired on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” which humorously referenced her dance moves.
“I’m torn between wanting to hug or yell at Jimmy Fallon,” she admitted. “I haven’t watched the sketch because I don’t think I’m ready for it just yet.”
She continued, “It feels like a surreal dream I’m waiting to wake up from. It’s all quite overwhelming.”
At the Paris Games in August, Raygun’s distinctive moves, including a kangaroo-inspired hop, captured global attention but also led to significant criticism. She didn’t score any points in her battles, which sparked backlash and memes.
In mid-August, she addressed the criticism in an Instagram video, asserting that while she enjoyed her time at the Olympics, she took her performance seriously. “I worked incredibly hard to prepare for the Olympics and gave it my all,” she said. “I didn’t expect the level of hate that followed, which has been quite tough.”
Raygun acknowledged the intense negativity surrounding her performance and clarified that the Australian breaking organization, AUSBreak, supported her, confirming the fairness of the selection process.
During her interview, she defended her approach to breaking, explaining that she relied on her strengths despite knowing the odds were against her. “I had to play to my strengths, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. The odds were definitely against me,” she said.
Looking ahead, Raygun plans to take a break from competitive breaking. “I want to focus on the positives and the joy I’ve been able to bring to people,” she said. “It’s about having fun and giving your best, even in the face of loss.”
