Truth behind Raygun’s world number one ranking revealed

Rachel “Raygun” Gunn’s rise to the world number one ranking caused widespread backlash, now the truth has been revealed.

The World Dancesport Federation has issued a statement over the latest rankings released this week.

Controversy erupted when divisive Australian figure Rachel “Raygun” Gunn was listed as the world number one break dancer.

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The 37-year-old sparked worldwide backlash after her questionable performances during the Paris Olympics.

Despite those displays, which resulted in her failing to register a single point, the WDSF released the latest rankings which had the Aussie sitting atop the list.

As questions were raised surrounding the rankings, the WDSF confirmed she was the number one athlete in a statement to detail exactly how the ranking system works.

Ranking points for athletes are based on their top four performances within the past 12 months, however the recent Olympic Games and two qualifying events did not offer ranking points “due to limited athlete quotas”.

Raygun’s rise raised eyebrows. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

“We would like to take this opportunity to provide clarity on the ranking methodology and address the concerns raised,” the WDSF statement read.

“Furthermore, in alignment with the Olympic Qualification System, ranking events were intentionally not held between 31 December 2023 and the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

“This strategic scheduling allowed athletes to focus solely on the last part of their Olympic qualification without the added pressure of additional ranking events.

“Consequently, by the end of the Olympic Games, many of the competition results included in the ranking had expired, leading to the current situation where many athletes have only one competition result contributing to their ranking.

“Due the unique circumstances regarding ranking events this year, it is not unusual in the period immediately following the Olympic Games for some athletes to be ranked according to a single event.”

Raygun nabbed the top spot thanks to one event. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

And while the organisation backed its system, the statement seemed to suggest the rankings shouldn’t be put above the recent Olympic results.

The three women who took home the medals in Paris failed to appear on the recent rankings list.

“Until WDSF ranking events recommence later this year, therefore, the world rankings as they currently stand should be interpreted in conjunction with results from recent global breaking competitions for a more accurate reflection of the global competitive landscape,” the organisation said.

Raygun was catapulted into the world number one ranking thanks to the 1000 points she claimed for winning the WDSF Oceania Championship in October last year.

The Aussie will fall off the rankings when those points expire at the end of October, meaning her time as the world number one will be short-lived.

Raygun hanging out with the rich and famous, including Boy George. Picture: Instagram

Despite her new found home as the world No. 1, Raygun stated she would be stepping away from competition in her first sit-down interview.

“I don’t think I’ll be competing for a while. Not really wanting to be in the spotlight, breaking, competing,” she said on The Project.

“It’s been nice. It’s been a bit of a process to try and start dancing again. Like, that’s actually been tough. You know, it was my medicine, and then it turned into my source of stress.

“So, I’m really happy that it gets to go back to being my medicine. I can kind of finally feel free again. I’m looking forward to breaking, but, no, I don’t think I’ll compete for a while.”

Raygun with Richard Branson. Picture: Instagram

Raygun has copped worldwide backlash. Picture: Instagram

Gunn has continued to attract worldwide headlines with the Macquarie University academic being spotted dining with Boy George before making an appearance alongside Richard Branson.

It likely won’t be the last we see of the divisive figure either after she reportedly caught the attention of the producers of Channel 10 show “I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!”

The show, which throws a range of celebrities into a campsite and involves a range of challenges and eliminations before a winner is announced, aired its 10th season earlier this year.

Not surprisingly, Gunn is considered a perfect addition for the next series, a source told New Idea magazine.

Gunn has even signed with influencer marketing agency Born Bred Talent a move she all but confirmed when she added a contact from the agency to her bio on Instagram.

Originally published as Truth behind Raygun’s world number one ranking revealed