Breakdancer Raygun received a warm welcome in her home country, with fans cheering for her despite not scoring at the Olympics.
Raygun, a breakdancer who represented her country at the Paris 2024 Olympics, received a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon her return home.
Although she did not score any points in the competition, her home nation greeted her with cheers and celebration.
They recognized the effort and dedication she put into representing them on the world stage.
Breakdancer Raygun greeted with cheers in her home nation despite scoring no point at Paris Olympics.
Remarkably, Gunn’s routines at the Olympics faced widespread mockery on social media.
Viewers criticized her for her awkward combinations, eccentric uniform, and somewhat over-the-top maneuvers.
However, the public reception in Australia painted a very different picture.
After arriving at the airport, Gunn was immediately surrounded by a throng of excited supporters.
Without missing a beat, she launched into an impromptu street performance, showcasing her signature moves to the tune of Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk.”
The lively display of energy and showmanship earned her more praise from the adoring crowd.
One social media user commented on the celebratory homecoming video, saying that the performance isn’t bad for an amateur, but she is expected to be great.
Another user remarked that she knows very well that she didn’t perform all those moves at the Olympics.
Olympic breakdancer Raygun responded to her zero-point performance.
Despite the terrible results on the international stage, Gunn remained unapologetic about her unique approach to the sport.
“All my moves are original,” she declared in Paris.
“I knew I wasn’t going to beat these girls in dynamic and powerful moves,” she said.
“So, I aimed to be artistic and creative because how often do you get a chance to do that on an international stage?”
I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way,” she emphasized.
Gunn’s infectious enthusiasm and unwavering self-belief seem to have endeared her to the Australian public.
While she may not have impressed the judges in Paris, her spirited performance and unorthodox style have made her a beloved figure in her home country.
Beyond her breakdancing exploits, Gunn is also a lecturer at Macquarie University in Sydney, where she focuses on “the cultural politics of breaking.”
She also works at the university’s Performance and Expertise Research Centre, lending her expertise to the study of this unique and rapidly evolving sport.
Social media reactions
The warm reception Gunn received upon her return to Australia stands in stark contrast to the criticism she faced during the Olympics.
Hero’s welcome? Australia must be so down under they couldn’t see what we saw, one user said.
Based on what little I saw of her routine at the Olympics I’d say someone having an epileptic seizure could hold their own with her, the second user commented.
She pulled the greatest Olympic prank in history! That alone is medal worthy! The third user wrote.
She’s the worst breaker I’ve seen in a competitive setting, another said.
Australian officials explain their choice of Raygun for the Olympics despite her zero score
The 2024 Paris Olympics is set to feature a variety of sports, including the debut of breakdancing.
Raygun’s routines incorporated kangaroo-like hops and snake-like floor movements, which the judges described as “innovative.”
However, after three rounds of competition, Raygun’s performance only earned her a score of 0 from the judges.
This controversial result led many to question the decision to select her for the Australian Olympic team.
In response, Australian sports officials explained the rigorous selection process that led to Raygun’s inclusion.
Officials said Raygun was selected based on her performances.
They stated that the selection took place over two days and was open to all interested participants from the Oceania region.
The selection panel included nine respected international referees, a head judge, and a chairperson.
All members followed the regulations of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) and the standards set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The officials stressed that Raygun’s selection was based solely on her performances in competitions.
They believed her skills were worthy of representing Australia in breakdancing at the Olympics.
They acknowledged the immense pressure of competing on the Olympic stage, especially against fierce competition, and stood in support of Raygun.
Before the Olympics, Raygun had used her position as Australia’s breakdancing representative to advocate for the sport in the media.
Despite the backlash and criticism Raygun faced on social media, the Australian sports officials remained steadfast in their decision to select her for the Olympic team.
They highlighted the importance of being original, creative, and representing one’s country specially.
They believed Raygun showed these qualities through her unique breakdancing style.