Rachael Louise Gunn (born 2 September 1987), known competitively as Raygun, is an Australian academic and competitive breakdancer. She is a lecturer in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature at Macquarie University Faculty of Arts. Gunn competed in breaking at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the sport’s debut at the games, but did not progress past the first round, receiving a score of zero.
| Full Name | Rachael Gunn |
| Stage Name | Raygun |
| Date of Birth | 2 September 1987 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | BA in Contemporary Music, PhD in Cultural Studies |
| Occupation | Athlete, University Lecturer |
| Languages Spoken | English |
| Hobbies | Street dance, hip-hop culture, music, creative industries |
| Family | Husband, Samuel |
| Other Sports | Former jazz and ballroom dancer |
| Notable Achievements | Oceania Championship (1st place, 2023), World Championships |
| Memorable Moments | Qualifying for Paris 2024 |
| Philosophy | Enjoying the moment and improvising during competitions |
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Music (2009) – Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- PhD in Cultural Studies (2017) – Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Career:
Rachael Gunn, known by her stage name “Raygun,” is an accomplished B-Girl and university lecturer. She transitioned into breaking (a form of street dance) in her mid-20s, influenced and supported by her husband, Samuel, who had been breaking for a decade. Before discovering breaking, Rachael was a jazz and ballroom dancer.
Raygun has represented Australia in multiple World Championships, including events in Paris, Leuven, and Seoul. Her most significant achievement came in 2023 when she secured a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, marking Australia’s first-ever Olympic qualification in the B-Girl competition.
Aside from her athletic achievements, Raygun is also an academic, holding a PhD in Cultural Studies. She works as a lecturer at Macquarie University, where she teaches courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research interests include dance, gender politics, and the intersection of theoretical and practical methodologies.
Notable Achievements:
- Oceania Championship:
- 1st place in Women’s Breaking Individual (2023, Sydney, NSW, Australia)
- World Championships:
- 42nd place in Women’s Breaking Individual (2021, Paris, France)
- 64th place in Women’s Breaking Individual (2023, Leuven, Belgium)
- 73rd place in Women’s Breaking Individual (2022, Seoul, South Korea)
Hobbies:
Raygun is deeply immersed in street dance, hip-hop culture, and music. She is also interested in the creative industries.
Philosophy:
Raygun approaches breaking with a mindset focused on savoring and enjoying the moment, allowing her body to take over during performances. She emphasizes the importance of improvisation, adapting her movements spontaneously to the music during competitions.
Memorable Moments:
Raygun recalls her qualification for Paris 2024 as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something she never anticipated. She sees participating in the Olympics as an incredible chance that she never imagined as a childhood dream.
Family:
Raygun is married to Samuel, who played a significant role in introducing her to breaking.
| 2021 | $100,000 |
| 2022 | $150,000 |
| 2023 | $200,000 |
| 2024 | $250,000 |
