RayGun's Viral Olympics Performance Leaves Viewers Questioning Judging Standards

Australian B-girl Rachel Gunn, aka "RayGun," became an online sensation during the Paris Olympics for her unconventional performance that left some viewers wondering how she qualified.

Australia's Rachel Gunn, better known as "RayGun," has become an unlikely viral sensation at the 2024 Paris Olympics, not for her exceptional dance skills, but rather for her head-scratching performance that has sparked a debate about judging standards in the newly introduced sport of breaking.

Making her debut in the women's breaking competition on Friday, the 36-year-old Gunn failed to match the technical prowess of her opponents, losing all her battles without scoring a single point. Her unconventional style, which she described as prioritizing creativity over power moves, left viewers questioning how she qualified for the prestigious sporting event.

RayGun's Viral Olympics Performance Leaves Viewers Questioning Judging Standards

"I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best — their power moves," Gunn admitted after her disappointing performance. "What I bring is creativity."

However, Gunn's "creativity" has been met with a mixed reaction, with many social media users expressing confusion and amusement at her routine.

RayGun's Viral Olympics Performance Leaves Viewers Questioning Judging Standards

"I kinda feel bad for RayGun, the Aussie [breaker] — but that routine was hilariously ridiculous," one user commented on Twitter. "Something like this always happens at the Olympics."

Another viewer questioned the fairness of the judging process, suggesting that Gunn's lack of technical skills should have disqualified her from competing at the highest level.

RayGun's Viral Olympics Performance Leaves Viewers Questioning Judging Standards

"How did she even qualify?" asked one perplexed viewer. "She couldn't keep up with the other girls at all."

According to Gunn's Olympics bio, she is a university lecturer with a Ph.D. in cultural studies, and dance is listed as one of her research interests. She earned her spot at the Paris Olympics after winning the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, Australia, and was ranked as the top-ranked b-girl by the Australian Breaking Association in 2020 and 2021.

Gunn's unconventional style, which incorporates elements of contemporary dance and performance art, has also drawn criticism from some within the breaking community. Critics argue that her approach deviates from the traditional foundations of the sport and undermines its credibility as a legitimate Olympic discipline.

In response to the online scrutiny, Gunn took to Instagram to defend her artistic choices and challenge the narrow expectations placed on breaking.

"Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the boys wear tomorrow," she fired back in a post. "Because if you're going to come for me... you better come for all of us."

The men's breaking competition commenced on Saturday, bringing a new wave of scrutiny to the sport's judging standards and the evolving definition of breaking as an Olympic discipline. The Associated Press contributed to this report.