The 2024 Paris Olympics introduced breakdancing to the world stage, creating some of the most talked-about moments of the entire event.
Among the highlights was the unforgettable performance by Australian breakdancer Raygun, whose routine quickly turned her into a viral sensation.
Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, stepped onto the Olympic stage on Friday, August 9, and delivered a performance that was unlike any other.
Despite not scoring any points from the judges and exiting the competition after losing all three of her bouts, the 36-year-old’s routine left a lasting impact on social media.
me tryna get the duvet off when i’m too hot at night #olympics pic.twitter.com/NM4Fb2MEmX
— robyn (@robynjournalist) August 9, 2024
One particular move, which saw Raygun wiggling on the floor, became an instant meme, spreading rapidly across the internet.
my five year old niece after she says “watch this!” : pic.twitter.com/KBAMSkgltj
— alex (@alex_abads) August 9, 2024
Australia sending Raygun to represent us in #breakdancing pic.twitter.com/oAx4ses64Q
— Ira Snave (@IraSnave) August 9, 2024
Knew I’d seen the gal from Australia in the #breakdancing before pic.twitter.com/UvMXLUsDEW
— Martha Greenbank (@MarthaGreenbank) August 9, 2024
me when i find myself competing in the breakdancing olympics after a series of hijinks and a case of mistaken identity pic.twitter.com/PKmgrciVSQ
— Aaron Serna 🥥🌴 (@AaronSerna) August 9, 2024
Olympic breakdancing… c’mon this not a sport, this isn’t anything except turbo cringe 😬 pic.twitter.com/Vw1RFTRgI4
— CryptoBeesKnees 🐝💯 (@TheBigBeesKnees) August 9, 2024
Australia’s b girl Raygun may have lied on her resume, but she got a trip to Paris, free gear, access to the Olympic chocolate muffins, material for her next thesis, and is forever an Olympian, PhD brain outsmarted 😭 #Breakdancing #Olympics #Paris2024 #Raygun #RachelGunn pic.twitter.com/DiptZF55hB
— obsessing over the Olympics (@Caroline_3_21_) August 9, 2024
“The 2024 Paris Olympics’ hottest event is breakdancing. It has everything – A tiny Lithuanian girl in a durag named ‘Nicka,’ a 36-year-old Australian PhD student named ‘Raygun,’ and millions of people all over the world wondering who okayed this.” pic.twitter.com/iR8j439Gah
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) August 9, 2024
While Japanese breakdancer Ami Yuasa claimed the inaugural gold medal in the sport of ‘breaking,’ it was Raygun’s distinctive style and fearless creativity that captured the world’s attention.
Raygun, a university lecturer with a PhD in dance and gender politics, responded to her sudden meme-status with grace and humor.
She reposted a message from the ‘Breaking for Gold’ account and added her own empowering quote: “Don’t be afraid to be different. Go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that’s gonna take you.”
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Reflecting on her Olympic journey, Raygun expressed disbelief at having the opportunity to compete on such a grand stage.
She began breakdancing in her mid-20s and has since embraced a style that prioritizes creativity and originality over traditional power moves. “All my moves are original,” she said.
Raygun’s performance, though unconventional, embodied the spirit of breaking as an art form.
She emphasized that her goal was not to conform to the typical standards but to present something new and artistic on an international stage.
As Raygun’s Olympic journey concludes, her viral routine serves as a powerful reminder that authenticity and creativity can leave a lasting impression, even in the face of traditional expectations.
