Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn has been ranked as the world’s top breakdancer despite controversy surrounding her Olympic performance in Paris 2024.

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Rachael Gunn

Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known in the breaking community as Raygun, has been officially ranked the world’s number-one breakdancer by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF).

The ranking comes following her victory at the 2023 Oceania Continental Championships.

However, the announcement has sparked controversy, as Gunn earned no points from the Olympic judges during the Paris 2024 Games.

The WDSF released its world ranking list on Tuesday, revealing that Gunn’s success at earlier competitions over the last year secured her position at the top.

However, confusion ensued as many noted that Gunn’s performance at the Olympics, where she gained significant attention, did not contribute to her ranking.

Gunn’s Rise to Number One: A Confusing Controversy

Gunn’s number-one ranking left many fans and observers scratching their heads.

The 37-year-old B-girl did not receive any points from the Olympic judges in Paris 2024, where her viral performance was met with mixed reviews.

Despite this, her victory at the 2023 Oceania Continental Championships and other previous competitions led to her world-leading status.

Social Media Response: The surprising ranking prompted reactions across platforms, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) commenting, “Raygun ranked world number one after Paris Olympics controversy — how funny is this? World no 1?”

The WDSF clarified the situation, explaining that their rankings are based on each athlete’s top four performances within the last 12 months.

Points earned from competitions are valid for 52 weeks, and the Paris Games and Olympic qualifiers were not included in the ranking calculations.

WDSF’s Explanation for the Olympic Exclusion

The decision to exclude the Paris 2024 Games and other Olympic qualifying events from the current ranking process is part of the WDSF’s Olympic Qualification System.

According to the federation, ranking events were paused during the Olympic qualification period to allow athletes to focus on securing their spots for the Games.

WDSF Statement: “In alignment with the Olympic Qualification System, ranking events were intentionally not held between 31 December 2023 and the Olympic Games Paris 2024. This strategic scheduling allowed athletes to focus solely on the last part of their Olympic qualification without the added pressure of additional ranking events.”

As a result, many of the competition results in the current rankings had expired by the end of the Olympics, leading to a situation where athletes like Gunn were ranked based on performances outside the Games.

Gunn’s Response: Defending Her Performance

Despite the criticism and confusion surrounding her ranking, Rachael Gunn has defended her performance at the Paris Olympics.

In a recent interview with “The Project,” an Australian current affairs show, Gunn explained her creative approach to the routine, stating that she wanted to bring an Australian theme to the international stage.

Gunn’s Inspiration: “I love our Olympic mascot, BK, the boxing kangaroo, and I wanted to show that. That is the wonderful thing about breaking—you can take Inspiration from any source. I had to go with what I was good at; I had to go with my strengths,” she said.

Gunn’s routine, which incorporated elements of Australian culture, may not have resonated with the Olympic judges.

However, it connected with fans and highlighted her unique style in a sport that values individuality.

Backlash and Mental Health Struggles

Gunn has been open about the mental health challenges she faced following her Olympic performance.

After her routine went viral and received mixed reactions, Gunn revealed that she had to take a break from social media due to the intense criticism she received.

Gunn’s Instagram Post: In a candid post, Gunn described the backlash as “devastating” and shared that she had sought mental health support to cope with the situation.

During her interview with “The Project,” Gunn reflected on the emotional toll of the experience, saying, “It has been a pretty wild ride. Despite my ups and downs, the positive response to my performance has been amazing despite the tough times.”

What is Next for Gunn and the Breaking Community

Looking ahead, Gunn’s world number-one ranking may need to be revised.

The Breaking for Gold World Series will occur in October, and the rankings will likely shift as more competitions are held.

However, Gunn’s place in the spotlight remains secure as she continues to push the boundaries of her sport.

WDSF’s Statement on Future Rankings: “The ranking will change after the points expire and following the World DanceSport Federation’s Breaking for Gold World Series in October,” the federation said. “We remain committed to transparency and fairness in the competitive ranking process.”

Gunn, who has continued to defend her performance and unique approach to breakdancing, remains focused on the future.

She hopes to further inspire others with her creativity and resilience in the sport.

Conclusion: A Complex Journey to the Top

While Rachael Gunn’s current world number-one ranking has sparked debate and confusion, it also highlights the complexities of competitive breakdancing and the subjective nature of performance art.

Gunn’s resilience in the face of criticism and commitment to representing her unique style has made her a standout figure in the sport.

As the Breaking for Gold World Series approaches, all eyes will be on Gunn to see how she continues to shape her legacy in the breaking world.

Stay tuned for updates on Rachael Gunn as she competes in the Breaking for Gold World Series in October, where her top ranking will be tested against the world’s best breakdancers.