World reacts to Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s breaking retirement bombshell

Raygun’s decision to hang up the Aussie tracksuit and retire the “kangaroo” has sparked a huge response around the globe.

The world has reacted to the surprise news Rachael Gunn has hung up her sneakers and trackie and won’t break competitively again.

Better known by her now infamous B-Girl name “Raygun”, the 37-year-old shot to international notoriety with her unique performance as breaking made its Olympic debut in Paris this year.

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Her moves and choice to wear the Australian tracksuit and cap have become the stuff of legend, one of the most popular outfits for this year’s Halloween celebrations back home and in the United States.

Gunn confirmed in a chat with radio station 2DayFM on Thursday she would no longer compete after all the backlash she received.

B-Girl Raygun’s breaking retirement has drawn a strong reaction. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

“I still break, but I don’t compete. I’m not going to compete any more. No, no,” she said.

“I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems really difficult for me to do now to approach a battle.

“I still dance and I still break, but that’s like in my living room with my partner.

“I think the level of scrutiny that’s going be there, and the people will be filming it, it’ll go online and it’s just not going to mean the same thing.

“It’s not going to be the same experience because of everything that’s at stake.”

While breaking has been axed from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic schedule, Gunn said if it was still part of the Games, she would not consider competing.

The news has drawn widespread reaction, with media outlets including the BBC, America’s NBC and Variety websites and Japan Today all carrying stories on the decision, among many others.

Raygun was a Halloween hit. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)

And on people’s minds at the Melbourne Cup. Photo: Phillippa Butt

Gunn’s decision also naturally drew plenty of reaction on social media.

Journalist Mark Di Stefano, with tongue firmly planted in his cheek, tweeted: “Another great Australian, brought undone by tall poppy syndrome.”

Gossip personality Perez Hilton released a three minute video discussing the decision under the caption: “She quits! Australian breakdance sensation #Raygun is OVER IT!”

Author John Smith wrote on X: “Leave the Breaking before the Breaking leaves you.”

Australian wine and travel writer Winsor Dobbin offered: “Some news to brighten the day: Raygun has retired. But I reckon that won’t be the last we see or hear of her.”

A number of other people gave their views on social media.

One wrote: “An absolute legend!”

Her routine has become the stuff of legend. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

She has since hung out with the likes of Richard Branson. Picture: Instagram

Another asked: “Hopping off into the sunset, is she?”

A third wrote: “She was a pioneer, I think.”

A fourth stated: “Well, she entertained us.”

Gunn, who was stunned by the response to her Paris performance, has called the backlash “really upsetting”.

“I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was,” she added.

Following the Olympics, Gunn hung out with celebrities that included Richard Branson and Boy George, and she is also fronting a campaign for Australians to try to beat her breaking effort with comparison site Finder.

Gunn also launched a failed attempt to trademark the Raygun name shortly after her Olympic performance in August.

Originally published as World reacts to Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s breaking retirement bombshell