Who Is Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn? Get to Know the Australian Olympic Breakdancer

Rachael Gunn is an Australian breakdancer and academic, noted for her research into the “cultural politics of breaking” and her role as a lecturer at Macquarie University in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language, and Literature.

Early Life and Education

Born in Hornsby, New South Wales, Gunn began dancing as a child, training in ballroom, tap, and jazz.

She pursued her bachelor’s degree in contemporary music at Macquarie University, graduating in 2009, and completed a PhD in cultural studies in 2017. Her thesis explored the intersection of gender and Sydney’s breaking culture.

Breakdancing Career

Known by her nickname “Raygun,” Gunn started breakdancing in her mid-20s in the early 2010s.

She paused her competitive career to focus on her PhD but resumed in 2018. Gunn, coached by her husband Samuel Free, trains intensely, dedicating three to four hours daily to her craft.

Gunn has represented Australia in various international competitions, including the World Breaking Championships in Paris (2021), Seoul (2022), and Leuven, Belgium (2023).

Her victory at the 2023 Oceania Breaking Championships secured her a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics, where breaking made its debut.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Gunn did not score any points and was eliminated in the round-robin stage.

Despite facing online harassment, she remained resilient, sharing an empowering quote on Instagram about embracing individuality and representing oneself.

Personal Life

Gunn met her husband, Samuel Free, a fellow breakdancer, at university in 2008.