Rachael Gunn Defended by Top Judge Amid Controversy Over Her Unique Olympic Breaking Routine"

The top judge of the Olympic breaking competition has voiced strong support for Rachael Gunn of Team Australia following the mixed reactions to her unconventional routine in Paris.

Competing under the name Raygun, Gunn was eliminated from the B-Girls competition after receiving a score of zero, which sparked both criticism and praise online for her distinctive style.

Martin Gilian, known in the breaking community as MGbility, defended Gunn, emphasizing that "Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new to the table... and this is exactly what Raygun was doing." The Australian Prime Minister also commended Gunn for "having a go."

Breaking, which made its debut at the Paris Games, will not be featured in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Gunn, a 36-year-old university lecturer from Sydney, stood out among competitors who are mostly in their early 20s. Her performances, which included moves like the sprinkler and a kangaroo-inspired hop, went viral, leading to a flurry of memes and video parodies questioning her outfit and performance.

Gilian clarified that Gunn’s score reflected the "competitive judging system" rather than her overall ability, citing her success in the Oceania qualifiers. He praised her for her innovative choreography and artistic approach.

Gunn, who has a background in jazz, tap, and ballroom dancing, explained her performance by saying, "I was never going to beat these girls on what they do best, the dynamic and the power moves, so I wanted to move differently, be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get in a lifetime to do that on an international stage?"

Australia's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, criticized the negative reactions, stating, "The Olympics is about people participating in sport... and Raygun had a crack, good on her."

Team officials and the breaking community have rallied around Gunn, offering support and condemning the online backlash. Anna Meares, the team’s chef de mission in Paris, expressed disappointment at the trolling, stating, "I absolutely love her courage. I love her character."

Jeff ‘J-Attack’ Dunne, who competed in the men’s event, also praised his teammate: "All I know is she represented hard, she has been the leading breaker in Australia for the women and I acknowledge her and respect her 100%."

Breaking, a hip-hop dance style originating from New York in the 1970s, was added to this year’s Games to attract a younger audience. However, some critics argue that its organic nature may not be suited to organized competition.