Breakdancing -

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.

Australian Olympian Rachael Gunn, known in the breakdancing world as Regan, has publicly apologised to the country’s breakdancing community after facing a lot of criticism for her recent performance at the Paris Olympic Games. Her unconventional routine attracted widespread attention and criticism, dividing emotions and opinions within the sport.

Controversial routine

36-year-old Gunn, who entered the Paris Games as Australia’s top-ranked female breakdancer, faced challenging backlash when her routine failed to impress the judges. Gunn’s performance, who was eliminated from the B-Girls competition with a score of zero, was described as unconventional, involving moves such as the “sprinkler” and “kangaroo hop” which diverged from traditional breakdancing styles. Her choice of a green tracksuit and unconventional moves sparked a flood of memes and ridicule on social media platforms.

In her first in-depth interview since the Games, Gunn addressed the controversy and the resulting criticisms. Speaking to Network 10’s The Project, she expressed her sadness for the impact her performance had on the breakdancing community. “It’s really sad to hear those criticisms, and I’m very sorry for the backlash that the community has experienced,” Gunn said. “I can’t control people’s reaction.”

Performance and criticism

Gunn’s performance, although innovative, was criticised by many as a departure from the high-energy, power-focused style that often defines competitive breakdancing. Despite her background as a well-rounded dancer with expertise in jazz, tap and ballroom, her attempt to incorporate a unique artistic flair did not resonate with the judges or some members of the breakdancing community. Her routine was seen by some as making a mockery of the sport, causing disappointment among Australian breakdancers who felt her performance undermined their efforts and accomplishments.

The controversy surrounding Gunn’s performance was fuelled by allegations of manipulation of the selection process. Rumours circulated that Gunn had influenced the judging process and that her husband was involved in her qualification trials. However, these claims were categorically denied by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), who confirmed that the selection process was fair and transparent.

“The conspiracy theories were pretty awful,” Gunn commented, defending her qualifications and the integrity of the selection. “I was the top ranked Australian B-Girl in 2020, 2022 and 2023. I have been invited to represent Australia at several World Championships. The record is there, but anything can happen in battle.”

Public response and support

Following her performance, Gunn faced intense media scrutiny, including intrusive reporting and harassment of her family and friends. In a heartfelt appeal posted on Instagram, Gunn asked the media to stop their harassment and allow her to focus on recovering from the controversy.

In her interview, Gunn described the media frenzy as “really wild” and said it caused a state of panic for her. She said, “Dancing was my medicine, and then it became the source of my stress.” Despite the negative attention, Gunn was consoled by the support she received from fellow Olympians and some people. She particularly expressed gratitude for the encouragement she received at the closing ceremony.

“I would love to focus on the positivity and the joy I gave people,” Gunn said, reflecting on the supportive messages she received.

Debate over breakdancing
The inclusion of breakdancing in the Olympic Games was intended to attract a younger audience and bring a new, dynamic element to the competition. However, some critics argue that the organic nature of the sport clashes with the structured environment of organized competition. The divisive reaction to Gunn’s performance highlighted this debate.

Raygun competes during the Breaking B-Girls Round Robin Group B battle between Raygun and Syssy on Day 14 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at La Concorde on August 9, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Australian hip-hop pioneer Spice, who has been vocal about the impact of Gunn’s performance, criticized the routine for making a “mockery” of the Australian breakdancing scene. “Many of us are saddened,” Spice said, reiterating concerns that Gunn’s performance did not accurately represent the essence of the sport or the skill level of Australian dancers.

Moving forward
As the dust from the controversy settles, Gunn is focused on his recovery and plans to move forward. He remains committed to his craft and hopes the breakdancing community can put this episode behind him and continue to grow and thrive. His apology and reflection on the experience has been seen by some as a step toward healing and rebuilding bridges within the community.

The incident has sparked wider conversations about the balance between artistic expression and competitive standards in breakdancing, as well as the role of the media in shaping public perception. As breakdancing continues to gain prominence on the global stage, the lessons from the incident are still relevant.

Tag: Breakdancing

Rachel Gunn, known in the breakdancing world as “Regan”,

Australian Breakdancer Raygun Issues Apology After Olympic Controversy