Rachel Gunn, known in the breakdancing world as “Regan”, remains the number one ranked female breakdancer globally, despite a turbulent performance for Team Australia at the Paris Olympics that sparked intense debate online. The controversy surrounding her zero-score performances in all three competition rounds has shed light on the ranking system used by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), prompting the organization to defend its methodology and address the uproar in the breakdancing community.
Regan’s Olympic Controversy
Regan’s performance in Paris has been the subject of discussion for weeks, drawing mixed reactions from fans and professionals alike. At 37, Gunn is no stranger to the competitive breakdancing scene. Still, her Olympic routine featuring unconventional moves like the “Sprinkler” and “Kangaroo Hop” divided judges and audiences. While some saw her performance as an innovative expression of the evolving art form of breakdancing, others felt it deviated too much from the established norms of competitive breaking.
The result? Zero scores in all three rounds, sparking intense debate over her qualifications and the current state of competitive breakdancing. In her first in-depth interview after the Games, Regan stood by her record as Australia’s top b-girl, explaining that “the record exists” and “anything can happen in a battle.” Her statement reflects the unpredictable nature of breakdancing battles, where scores can vary greatly depending on judges’ interpretation of creativity, style and technical skill.
WDSF under fire: Clarifying rankings
The World DanceSport Federation, which is responsible for organizing many official breaking events and maintaining global rankings, faced immediate criticism after the Olympics. Critics, including prominent figures in the breakdancing community, questioned the transparency of the WDSF and the validity of its ranking system. Some also accused the organization of failing to understand the essence of breaking, which has historically thrived as a grassroots, community-driven art form rather than a regulated sport.
Responding to these concerns, the WDSF released a statement to “provide clarity” on how the world rankings are calculated. According to the governing body, athletes are evaluated based on their top four performances over the past 12 months. However, to the surprise of many, the WDSF excluded Olympic events, including qualifiers, from the rankings. The move was intended to allow athletes to “focus solely on the Olympics” without worrying about accumulating ranking points.
However, this decision also meant that athletes were ranked based on events held before the end of 2023 or immediately after the Olympics. As a result, some athletes’ rankings were dependent on only one or two performances. This situation, described by the WDSF as “unique circumstances”, fueled confusion and discontent within the breakdancing community.
Breakdancing community reactions
The breakdancing world is not united on the issue. Regan’s unexpected performance and the ranking controversy that followed have divided public opinion, with some breakdancers and fans supporting her and others criticizing WDSF’s handling of the situation. Jack Slusser, vice president of Breaking for Gold USA, expressed his disappointment in an interview, arguing that WDSF “has no real merit” in the eyes of the breaking community.
Slusser claimed that the organization failed to host enough events that truly reflect breakdancing’s competitive landscape. He also said that many breakers only participated in WDSF events to gain points for Olympic qualification, not because they believed in the federation’s vision. “After Paris, there is no incentive or desire for breakers to participate in WDSF events,” he asserted, highlighting a growing disconnect between the community and the federation. A clash of cultures: At the heart of the breaking vs. organized sports controversy is a fundamental question about the nature of breakdancing and its place in organized sports. Born from the streets of New York City in the 1970s, breaking has always been a form of self-expression, where creativity and personal style are paramount. Many in the community argue that the structured format of competitions like the Olympics is not conducive to the organic, improvised spirit of breaking.
This sentiment has led to widespread debate over whether breakdancing should be included in future Olympic Games. While its debut in Paris brought the style unprecedented global exposure, some purists feel the art form loses something essential when placed under the rigid rules of competitive sports. Uncertainty about breaking’s future at the Olympics was further fueled when it was announced that the sport would not be part of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
