Why you’ll be seeing more of Raygun’s moves

A popular dancer has spoken out about the Aussie Olympian’s dance routine, revealing to The Project an incredible way he’s supporting her.

A popular Sydney-based breakdancer has hit out at those who cruelly criticised Australian Olympian Rachael Gunn – known as Raygun, saying he will include one of her dance moves in his routine.

Gunn grabbed the world’s attention with her unique breakdancing in Paris, however she failed to score a point in her three round-robin battles 18-0 during the sport’s debut on Friday night.

Her performance included attention-grabbing moves such as the kangaroo hop, the sprinkler, and headstands, all while she was dressed in green and gold trackies.

She quickly became a meme, with cruel comparisons made between her and TV’s Kath Day-Night and worst of all, Mr G.

Samson Smith, one of six members of Australian dance and music group Justice Crew, expressed his dismay at the memes and jokes being flung Gunn’s way since her Olympic appearance.

Smith told Sunday night’s Project that Gunn’s performance had character because that’s her style.

“I’ve been it in the breaking battles,” Smith said. “I’ve seen her battle, I’ve seen her win, I’ve seen her lose.

“But watching her at the Olympics, that’s just her. That’s her style. It does come off to the end, she wins, she loses, she lost all points which is totally fine for us. We go in to a battle. We win, we lose. That’s it.”

Smith said he was impressed with some of her moves; when asked if he was going to “use the kangaroo move any time soon” he responded enthusiastically: “We’re going to definitely put that in.”

When it came to the backlash she has received online, Smith said most people don’t understand the breakdancing world.

B-Girl Raygun of Team Australia competes during the B-Girls Round Robin – Group B. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

“It’s actually very interesting to see the general public’s opinion, because they don’t understand what goes through the breaking scene, and to see her go, like, she’s gone viral and it’s still viral.

“The way that everybody is still talking about her and it is a big disappointment because they’re not talking about the winners, not talking about our gold medallists, the silver medallists, the bronze, they’re all talking about Raygun’s memes and they’re not even seeing her full set, just watching her memes and they are judging off those slowdown moves.”

He then mentioned the sprinkler move, saying “that is just character”, and insisted she wasn’t trying to make a joke with her dancing style.

“Not being funny, but that’s her personality, her character and the general public is taking it like it’s a joke,” Smith said.

Samson Smith talks about Raygun on The Project.

“We know everyone’s laughing about it. The memes that everyone’s coming up with, it’s crazy. At the end of the day it’s a human being just coming out to be – showing their creativity.”

Smith said it was difficult to watch how Gunn is being treated by many.

“It’s tough,” he said of Gunn having to deal with the backlash. “It’s tough, and I know as a breaker – I’ve been in the scene for over two decades, I’ve lost so many battles and it’s just like, you know, you just move on.

“You just take on everything. I feel like the whole world’s watching her right now, and it is – yeah, it’s a sad thing to see. And they should be focusing on the good talent. They should be focusing on the ones that actually won and see the finalists, see how good these girls were. Even the boys, the top finalists.”

Gunn showed off some unique moves. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

He also said the flak she received over her uniform was a storm in a teacup.

“Well, when you’re going to an Olympics, you’re representing your country and she was wearing the colours,” Smith explained. “It’s your colours, you’re representing your culture. I know she probably thought she was doing something good and it backlashed on her and people were calling that she was wearing some golf outfit.

“I’m like, ah … Everybody is going to say something, but as long as the person whoever’s on the stage feels comfortable in what they’re wearing and I’m pretty sure once everything goes down, she will say what she thinks.”

Smith said that’s just “her character”. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

She received zero points. Picture: Elsa/Getty Images

During a previous filming of The Project prior to her Olympic routine, Gunn talked about her plans for the event and give a hint about what could be in store.

When asked if she had a secret weapon move, Gunn responded: “I have a few things I’m working on”.

Raygun has a PhD in dance culture, lectures at Macquarie University and has been breakdancing for 12 years. She secured her place as Australia’s b-girl representative after winning last year’s Oceania Breaking Championships.

Smith is part of the Justice Crew. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Smith said he’s watched Gunn breakdance before. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The initial reaction about her moves from people in Paris was positive.

“I love it. She showed some true Aussie spirit,” one person said.

“I suppose she had a crack and Aussies are getting on the map,” another enthused.

“Iconic. Absolutely iconic!” a third cheered.

However, others called it “cringy” and said “I don’t think it was exactly cool”.

Now some are questioning whether the sport should ever have been added to the world line-up.