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Australian b-girl says she expected to ‘get beaten’ at Paris Olympics in first interview since controversy

Australian B-girls Rachel “Raegan” Gunn It was his first interview since his controversial performance at his Olympic breakdancing debut last month went viral on social media, leaving many viewers to wonder how the 36-year-old university professor managed to compete in the Summer Olympics.

Speaking to Australia's Network 10, Gunn said: Paris “It's tough.” Gan admitted that while she couldn't predict the reaction to her performance or how it would resonate around the world, she knew going into the competition that she wasn't good enough.

Australian B-Girl Rae Gunn reacts during the B-Girls Round Robin Group B in Paris, France on August 9th, 2024. (Elsa/Getty Images)

“I knew my chances were slim,” she says. “As soon as I qualified I thought, 'Oh my God, what have I done?' I knew I would lose, and I knew people wouldn't understand my style and what I was trying to do.”

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Ms Gunn is a lecturer at Macquarie University and holds a PhD in Cultural Studies. One of her research interests is dance. Ms Gunn won the QMS Oceania Championships in 2000, qualifying her to compete in the Paris Olympic Games. Sydney, Australia She was named the top ranked B-girl by the Australian Breaking Association in 2020 and 2021.

She quickly became a hot topic with her original performances, which included the “Kangaroo Dance.”

Raygun Dance

Australia's team's Reagan will compete in the women's round-robin Group B on day 14 of the Paris Olympics. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“I wanted to incorporate Australian movements and themes… That's the great thing about breaking – you can take inspiration from anything. I just had to do what I do best, what my strengths are.”

Australian Olympic officials and embattled B-girl refute 'disgraceful' claims surrounding Paris performance

Gunn said much of the criticism came from people who didn't understand the different styles of breaking, which she expected, but did not anticipate the amount of intense criticism she received.

“There have been some extremely angry and nasty responses – not just to me, but to my husband, my colleagues, the Australian breaking and street dance community and my family,” she added.

Gunn failed to score a single point in the round robin stage, losing all of his battles.

Raygun Dance

Australian B-Girl Rachel Gunn, better known as B-Girl Rae Gunn, will compete in the round robin tournament of the breaking competition at La Concorde Urban Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on August 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin)

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“I haven't rewatched it yet,” Gunn said of her Olympic performance.

The world likely won't be seeing her on the Olympic stage again anytime soon: breaking won't be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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