Susie O’Brien: I love that Raygun was feeling the vibe and going with her own groove

Who the hell cares that B-girl Raygun looked like Kath from Kath & Kim or that she didn’t win a single Olympic point? It’s what she did next that really mattered.

All hail B-girl Raygun of Team Australia.

I don’t care that you looked a bit like an upside-down ferret searching for dinner in your Olympic breaking routine.

A bit like a game of Twister played by a three-legged dog with fleas.

And a lot like Kath from Kath & Kim taking to the dancefloor at the Fountain Lakes RSL.

All hail B-girl Raygun. Picture: Getty

It wasn’t so much a polished routine, more like a solo improvised act of the calibre performed only on New Year’s Eve, well after midnight.

Sure, it felt like Dr Rachel “Raygun” Gunn was there to get a participation award, not win an elite international competition.

But who the hell cares?

She backed herself, had a crack, and now she’s famous.

Raygun backed herself and had a crack. Picture: AFP

The point many people seem to be missing is that Raygun legitimately earned her place in the Olympic team, winning gold in the Oceania Breaking Championships last year.

Raygun, 36, knew she was never going to compete with the “power moves” of younger competitors, so she chose the artistic route instead. It didn’t win over the judges, but I reckon she’s great.

She was widely panned on social media and in the mainstream press. Some of it seemed a bit harsh.

Raygun breakdancing in the Olympic village before the closing ceremony.

I personally didn’t think she looked at all like a “drunk chick pulled off a bar stool to compete” or a five-year-old after they say, “watch this”.

It’s what Raygun did next that really mattered.

Rather than hiding away, she appeared before the closing ceremony on the shoulders of rower Angus Widdicombe, lapping up the attention as the other athletes treated her to a guard of honour.

Raygun on Angus Widdicombe’s shoulders.

She even hit the bitumen for a bit more writhing on the floor in pain (also known as breaking) as part of the closing ceremony. And yes, she even did her signature prancing kangaroo move.

Raygun is now adored and applauded, without winning a single Olympic point.

At this point the score doesn’t really matter, does it?

Welcome to the world stage, Raygun, we’re looking forward to seeing what you do next.

Take breakdancing lessons, maybe? Just kidding. I love that she was feeling the vibe and going with her own groove.

When officials call you “brave” and “heartwarming” and offer up “mental health support” after a performance, you know you have made your mark.

Originally published as Susie O’Brien: I love that Raygun was feeling the vibe and going with her own groove