A breakdancing judge has clarified why viral performer Raygun received a zero at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Breakdancing debuted at the Paris Olympics, adding a fresh twist to the event lineup. One dancer, Raygun, gained widespread attention for her ‘hilariously ridiculous’ performance.
Judges evaluate Olympians on six criteria: creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality. Raygun, whose real name is Rachael Gunn, scored zero in all three of her bouts.
Following her performance, Gunn faced social media criticism. Breakdancing judge MGbility expressed sympathy for Gunn and explained the scoring decision.
“I feel very sorry. The breaking and hip hop community supports her. She aimed to introduce something new and representative of her country,” MGbility said.
“We stand with her. Her level just wasn’t as high as the other competitors, but she did her best.”
MGbility further explained, “Her competitors were better, which is why she didn’t score any votes. Breaking values originality and regional representation, which Raygun was showcasing.”
Raygun’s inspiration came from her surroundings, including animals like kangaroos.
After the competition, Gunn shared, “I was never going to beat these girls on their power moves. My strength is creativity.”
Gunn, a breakdancer and university lecturer with a Ph.D. in cultural studies, also commented on the backlash regarding her performance outfit. The International Olympic Committee allowed custom uniforms, and Gunn was the only athlete in a tracksuit representing her country.
She addressed the criticism on Instagram, saying, “Looking forward to the same level of scrutiny on what the b-boys wear tomorrow.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Raygun score a zero in breakdancing at the Paris Olympics?
Raygun scored zero because her level wasn’t as high as her competitors in creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality.
What criteria do judges use to score breakdancing at the Olympics?
Judges score based on creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity, and musicality.
What did Raygun say about her performance after the competition?
Raygun said she brought creativity and knew she couldn’t beat others on power moves.
What unique aspect did Raygun bring to her breakdancing performance?
Raygun was inspired by her surroundings, including movements like a kangaroo.
How did the breakdancing community react to Raygun’s performance?
The breakdancing community sympathized with Raygun and supported her originality and effort.
