Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn Ranks First in Breaking Despite Olympic Criticism

Politics Sports John Brightwater September 11, 2024

Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn Ranks First in Breaking Despite Olympic Criticism

Summary
Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn is ranked first in breaking despite a poor Olympic performance, according to the World DanceSport Federation’s controversial ranking system that excludes Olympic results. Critics in the breaking community contest the rankings’ legitimacy, arguing they fail to represent the sport’s culture. Future events are expected to adjust these rankings.

Australian breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn has achieved the top ranking in her sport despite facing mockery and criticism for her performance during the Olympic Games. The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) clarified in a recent statement that the rankings are determined based on an athlete’s best four performances from the past twelve months, explicitly excluding results from the Olympic Games and qualification events in Shanghai and Budapest. Raygun, a 37-year-old university lecturer from Sydney, did not score any points in her Olympic performance, which included a routine highlighted by a “kangaroo” dance. The peculiar ranking circumstances arose due to a lack of events between December 2023 and the Olympics, allowing athletes to concentrate on qualification for the Games. As a result, many athletes have been ranked based primarily on a singular event. Raygun’s top finish at the Oceania Continental Championships in October 2023 secured her 1,000 points, placing her at the forefront of the world rankings. However, the breaking community has expressed dissatisfaction with the WDSF rankings, asserting that they do not accurately reflect the sport and its culture. Zack Slusser, Vice President of Breaking for Gold USA, remarked that the WDSF lacks credibility within the breaking community, emphasizing that the federation has struggled to organize events that genuinely represent the sport. He stated that breakers participated in WDSF events solely to accumulate points for Olympic qualification but had little motivation to engage with the federation thereafter, citing that these competitions do not deliver the cultural experience and enjoyment that authentic breaking events do. In contrast, Slusser referred to alternative competitions, such as the Red Bull BC One championships, which are celebrated for their vibrant atmosphere and strong community ties. While the WDSF acknowledges the current dissatisfaction with the rankings, they have indicated that updates will occur as more events are staged, starting with the forthcoming Breaking for Gold World Series in Shanghai in October.

The context of this discussion is rooted in the complexities of ranking athletes in the sport of breaking, particularly in light of the recent Olympic Games. The World DanceSport Federation administers the official rankings but has faced criticism regarding its methodology and its relevance to the breaking culture. The significant gap in events leading up to the Olympics and the subsequent decision to exclude Olympic and qualifying event scores from the rankings have raised questions about the accuracy and legitimacy of the current rankings, as they may not reflect the true competitive landscape of breaking.

In summary, Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn has ascended to the top of the world rankings for breaking, despite her disappointing Olympic performance. The World DanceSport Federation’s ranking system, which avoids considering results from major Olympic competitions, has generated controversy within the breaking community. Critics argue that the rankings do not adequately illustrate the sport’s culture and experience. Moving forward, revisions to the rankings are anticipated as more competitive events take place, potentially leading to a more comprehensive representation of the sport.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com