How university lecturer Dr Rachael Gunn became Australia’s newest Olympian
Dr Rachael Gunn didn’t grow up dreaming of representing her country at the Olympic Games. But that’s exactly what the 36-year-old university lecturer will be doing in Paris next July.
Australia’s newest Olympian never dreamt of a professional sporting career as a kid.
Dr Rachael Gunn spent most of her childhood playing low-level netball and travelling to dance classes after school.
But the Macquarie University lecturer will be heading to Paris next year as one of 16 B-girls from around the world taking part in the inaugural Breaking competition.
“I wasn’t a sporty kid, I was more of a dance kid,” Dr Gunn said. “I never thought the Olympics would be on the cards for me.
“A guy I went to school with asked, ‘If someone told you in Year 12 you’d be going to the Olympics for breaking, what would you say?’. I know I wouldn’t have believed them that’s for sure.
“It’s such a privilege and it’s hugely exciting.”
Dr Gunn, who competes under the portmanteau of her two names, Raygun, secured her qualification after taking out the Oceania Breaking Championships on Saturday afternoon in Sydney.
It’s a remarkable achievement for the 36-year-old, who only got involved in the sport in her mid-20s. With the Olympics on the horizon, she rose through the ranks to become one of the top-ranked B-girls in Australia and is consistently defeating competitors half her age.
“I think a lot of people had doubted my ability to do it and maybe thought I was getting too old to be able to stay on top,” Dr Gunn said. “But I just kept pushing hard, I want to get better, and I want the scene to grow and get better.
“Everyone’s journey in breaking is different. You can find your own path and develop your style. I love that capacity for individuality.
“I’m excited about the opportunities that I’m going to get and I’m going to bring them back to Australia and hope to teach the next generation.”
Breaking quickly became an integral part of her life. Dr Gunn holds a PhD in Cultural Studies with her thesis focusing on the intersection of gender and Sydney’s breaking culture.
She has also had experience as a lecturer at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at Macquarie University as she seamlessly combines her academic and athletic pursuits – even if it means some extra late nights.
“I’m currently catching up on a lot of emails now,” Dr Gunn admitted.
“At the moment, [I’m training] 12-15 hours a week. The sessions are intense, you can’t just have six-hour sessions. It might not be as much as other athletes, but it’s typical for breakers.”
That’s set to change now that she is an Olympian. Training levels will increase, and new routines will be polished. “For new power moves … it still might take me six months [to learn],” she said.
But Dr Gunn is ready to make her mark with breaking hitting the big stage at the Olympics.
“The people who have qualified for Paris already are amazing,” she said. “What I’ve got to focus on is what I bring that’s different … my strength is my style and creativity.
“This is just the start. My approach or intensity might change … but I’m super excited to keep growing and connecting with people in the community all around the world.
“I feel like I’m just getting started.”
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