Samuel Free, Raygun’s husband, significantly influenced Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s journey to the Olympic stage.
Raygun’s husband, Samuel Free, played a significant role in shaping Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s journey to the Olympic stage. Her performance, which featured distinctly Australian elements, sparked a mix of reactions, from harsh criticism to support.
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s Olympic debut in breaking at the Paris 2024 Games came with high expectations.
However, it was also marked by unexpected controversy.
Coached by her husband, Samuel Free, Raygun’s performance and her unique routine drew significant attention.
Raygun’s performance was marked by awkward movements.
The routine ended with a perplexing moment as she squirmed on the dance floor, her hand on her chin. This awkward finale further contributed to the confusion about her performance.
Raygun then faced criticism after a challenging performance at Paris 2024 Olympics.
Additionally, she failed to score any points across her three battles. This led to widespread criticism of both her performance and her costume choices.
Ragun faced criticism after her performance at Paris Olympic
On social media, many criticized Ragun’s performance. While the performance was widely ridiculed online, Gunn received a warm reception from fellow Australian Olympians during a pre-closing ceremony performance.
One person said: The Australian selectors need to go to Specsavers
A second wrote: I still don’t get that break Dancing is an Olympic sport ,any toddler throwing a tantrum can do better than that.
While a third commented: You have severely embarrassed the Kangaroos of Australia, they’re hopping mad.
Another added: Hmm would I be correct that this would be the first Olympian to get a zero point.. score ever …could be a world record.. Well done, Australia if I’m correct..
Raygun’s husband, Samuel Free, coached her performance.
Samuel Free, a title-winning breakdancer and Raygun’s coach, has been integral to her journey.
Additionally, he also serves as her husband, having married her in 2018.
Raygun’s husband played a significant role in shaping Raygun’s Olympic routine. He also shared openly about Raygun’s challenges.
In an interview with Stan Sport before the Olympics, Free discussed the routine, acknowledging the mix of pressure and excitement.
He hinted at the inclusion of signature moves and surprises, while also teasing the possibility of unconventional dance elements like ‘the sprinkler.’
She said: ‘Mixed emotions, there is a lot of pressure there, also a lot of excitement.’
‘We get to showcase something that we’re so excited about and that we love now to the rest of the world who largely haven’t seen what we’ve got to show.’
‘She’ll definitely have a few signatures in there to show and there will also be a few surprises in there, a little bit of Aussie flavour in there she is going to try and bring in.’
From skepticism to passion
Raygun was introduced to breaking by Free, although she initially approached the sport with hesitation. She described her first experience at Hornsby PCYC as intimidating, given her background in choreographed dance.
However, Free’s encouragement helped her overcome these challenges. This support led her to fully embrace breaking.
Gunn’s dedication to the sport evolved over the years, culminating in her first competition in 2012.
She said: ‘I thought it was pretty cool but not something I’d ever try. As a dancer, I’d spent years learning choreography; these guys were all doing their own thing, which was intimidating.
‘He encouraged me to give it a go, but it was hard and overwhelming. A woman’s body is different to a man’s – we have hips – so when a crew mate would say, ‘Just kick up,’ I’d be like, ‘That doesn’t work for me.’
She later became an academic expert in breaking, with a PhD thesis titled ‘Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney’s Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl’s Experience of B-boying.’
Despite an ACL injury that curtailed Free’s own competitive aspirations, Gunn emerged as a leading contender for the Olympics.
The road of the Olympic
The inclusion of breaking in the Paris Olympics was a significant milestone for the sport.
Free, recognizing Gunn’s potential, chose to focus on coaching rather than competing.
He acknowledged the limited pool of experts in Australia. Addio ally, the crucial role of his coaching in Gunn’s Olympic journey.
Gunn herself expressed mixed feelings about having her husband as her coach.
However, she credited him with helping her reach the Olympics.
She noted that qualifying for the Games had transformed their lives and provided a platform to showcase their skills.
Despite Free’s absence from the competition floor, his influence was evident in Gunn’s performance.