Rachael Gunn always wanted to be a dancer.
As a little girl growing up in New South Wales, Australia, she would dance in front of the video camera – her toes pointing perfectly as she smiled proudly in her little pink tutu.
Just weeks ago, Rachael posted a picture grabbed from one of those videos on Instagram, alongside other key moments from her childhood. With them read the caption: ‘I remember going to the Sydney 2000 Olympics and never in a million years thinking that one day I would be an Olympian. I was always a dancer – ballet, ballroom, jazz, tap, you name it.’
Yet it’s something she did manage to achieve, having been selected to represent Australia at Paris this year in the Olympics’ first ever breakdancing – known as breaking – event.
Acknowledging the honour on the post with her childhood photos, Rachael wrote: ‘I’m so excited that at this year’s Olympics we get an opportunity to show the world the athleticism, dedication, and mastery that’s required to succeed in dance.’
34 days later, we now know that the 36-year-old Australian failed to win any points at the Olympics – but no one can say she didn’t make her mark.
For, despite her loss, Dr Gunn – Rachael has a PhD in cultural science – has certainly got people talking about the sport.
One she only got into a decade ago.
A lecturer by day, Rachael fell in love with breakdancing when her now-husband and coach Samuel Free introduced her to the sport.
As a former ballroom dancer with an interest in jazz, she embraced the sport, with the couple crafting their art with a six-member crew called Vanguards of Style.
And, with her various breaking styles, she made her name as the top breakdancer in Australia – under her stage name: B-girl Raygun – winning the Olympic qualifying event, Oceania Breaking Championships, last year, which secured her a spot in the Paris games.
In an interview with the Australian Body and Soul outlet, Rachael explained how her training for the event involved ‘three or four hours a day, doing a mix of strength and conditioning, cardio, and flexibility work in addition to focusing on the different aspects of breaking: top rock, footwork, power, freezes, as well as preparing for battles. We train outside on the street at night too.’
Prior to Friday’s performance, she noted in a motivational Instagram message: ‘Don’t be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that’s gonna take you.’
It seems Rachael followed her own advice. From a ‘kangaroo move’ in which she is seen hopping from side to side (in a nod to her Australian roots) to a viral ‘fish flop’, her performance has spawned many a meme and much mocking.
There’s no doubt that Raygun’s story echoes that of the ultimate Olympic underdog Eddie The Eagle Edwards, who became the first British ski jumper for 60 years to make the Games when he competed – and came last – in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
Like Eddie, Rachel has become one of the most talked about stars of the event; as she’s brought a sense of fun and enjoyment to an otherwise very serious and highly competitive Olympic Games.
Even so, the dancer has always been quick to dismiss claims that breaking is not a ‘real’ sport, telling LinkedIn News Australia, in the run up to her Paris appearance, that ‘there’s always controversy around new sports,’ and adding that in breaking ‘the athleticism is just out of this world.’
Despite losing all three of her group stage battles, Rachael – who failed to display the high-speed back and head spins that other breakers demonstrated – has also acknowledged that she couldn’t compete athletically with her younger competitor’s tricks and strength, so tried to be more creative.
‘What I wanted to do was come out here and do something new and different and creative – that’s my strength, my creativity,’ she told Australian Associated Press.
‘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,’ Rachael added. ‘Be artistic and creative because how many chances do you get to do that in a lifetime on an international stage. I was always the underdog and wanted to make my mark in a different way.’
Rachael has also been quick to hit back at critics who ridiculed her decision to perform in her team’s clothing, instead of the baggy pants and streetwear style adopted by her competitors.
Posting an Instagram story to her fast-growing following which has lept by thousands in the last 24 hours, Rachael wrote: ‘Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the boys wear tomorrow,’ in reference to the criticism of her Australian polo shirt, sweatpants, and baseball cap outfit.
Although breaking made its debut at the Paris games, it won’t be on the roster at the 2028 Olympics – a decision which has nothing to do with Dr Gunn’s routine, but made by the Los Angeles hosts to drop it from their event.
It’s a blow no doubt for breakdancing fans, but a move Rachael hopes will be overruled when Australia hosts the games in 2032.
And she should know, because with a PhD in breakdancing and dance culture, and an academic career lecturing on the topics, Rachael is something of an expert, having also written a research paper on how Australians have applauded the sport making its Olympic debut.
Japan’s Ami Yuasa may have made breaking news for taken home gold in the women’s final, Raygun is the name on everybody’s lips.
After all, she began the Games as a little-known academic but, by the end of it, she was a viral sensation, making breakdancing one of the most talked about sports of the Olympics.
from Metro https://ift.tt/m4StDGB
via IFTTT
0 comments: