Australian breaker Rachael “Raygun” Gunn holds the top spot in the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) despite not obtaining a single point at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gunn’s performance at the Paris Olympics sparked confusion, laughter, and ridicule across the globe. Comedy skits and memes immediately followed the quirky performance, in which the 37-year-old professor danced like a kangaroo and appeared to impersonate a garden sprinkler.
In a statement released on Sept. 11, the WDSF explained the decision-making process behind ranking Gunn as its top female breaker.
In the WDSF rankings, Gunn sits several places above fellow Olympic contender and gold medal winner B-girl Ami Yuasa from Japan.
In its statement, the WDSF said it had noted concerns with its ranking and wanted to provide clarity.
It explained that the Olympic results were not included in the determination of the rankings, nor were the Olympic qualifiers held in Shanghai in May or Budapest in June.
“The WDSF Breaking World Ranking List is governed by the WDSF Breaking Rules and Regulations Manual (BRRM) and is updated based on each athlete’s top four performances within the past 12 months,” the statement said.
“Points earned in these competitions remain valid for 52 weeks from the date of the event.”
The federation said a strategic decision had also been made to avoid overlapping WDSF ranking events during the Olympic period, allowing dancers to focus on the games.
“Due to the unique circumstances regarding ranking events this year, it is not unusual in the period immediately following the Olympic Games for some athletes to be ranked according to a single event,” the statement said.
“Until WDSF ranking events recommence later this year, therefore, the world rankings as they currently stand should be interpreted in conjunction with results from recent global breaking competitions for a more accurate reflection of the global competitive landscape.”
The federation also explained Gunn’s points compared to fellow B-girl Riko, who currently sits in second place in the WDSF rankings.
Gunn obtained 1,000 points in the Oceania Continental Championships in October 2023, and those points expire on Oct. 28.
Riko received 1,000 points for winning first place at the Breaking for Gold World Series in Hong Kong in December 2023. Her points expire on Dec. 16.
While both dancers earned equal points in their respective competitions, the federation rules meant Gunn’s result from the continental championship took precedence.
Federation ‘Lacks Merit’: Breaking Community
The decision-making process used by the WDSF has come into question among the breaking community, with Breaking for Gold Vice President Zack Slusser saying the federation lacked merit.“They also haven’t been able to organise events by their measure that would contribute to creating an accurate world ranking,” he said.
Slusser said dancers only entertained the events organised by the WDSF to gather enough points to qualify for Paris.
Otherwise, according to Slusser, breakers had no incentive to continue a relationship with the federation.
“Because [WDSF events are] not cultural events. They are not enjoyable,” he said.
The AOC said Gunn had never held a place of authority in such groups, nor did her husband, Samuel Free, who had been accused of judging her qualifier.
