Arizona Tribune - 'Kinda cool' Raygun made breakdancing famous, Asian Games B-girls say

Gunn became something of a global laughing stock after her unorthodox routine at the Paris 2024 Games.

Her widely derided performance included kangaroo hops and imitating a sprinkler.

The 39-year-old's moves were copied on late-night talk shows and her green tracksuit mercilessly parodied online.

Conspiracy theories abounded in Australia to explain how the university lecturer had made it on to the Australia Olympic team.

Gunn said the intense scrutiny had been "really upsetting" and months later she retired from competition.

Asian Games woman breakdancers at the biggest multisports event since Paris lent their support to the Australian and suggested she should reverse her decision.

"I don't want to say she is bad, because breaking is different ideas," Kazakhstan's Sayora Alibekova told AFP in Nagoya.

"I also like to use stories in my breaking. Why can't we do something (different) like this?" said the 24-year-old, following the opening day of Asian Games breaking

"For me, it wasn't bad."

Asked if she felt bad for Gunn, she said: "I felt sorry for her because the public hated her.

"No one should be hated. She didn't kill anyone, she was just dancing," added Alibekova.

"She did art in her vision, why should we hate her?"

- 'Cool style' -

The Kazakhstani's thoughts were echoed by other breakdancers, known as "B-girls", in Nagoya.

Japan's Ayane Nakarai, a home hope for women's gold, had watched Gunn's display in Paris.

"It was my first time to see her and I thought she was really enjoying the moment," she said.

"I shouldn't judge her. I want her just to enjoy what she does."

Even now, Gunn's Olympic display and the public fallout make headlines back home.

It spawned a parody musical about her, and subsequent legal action.

Recently she was back in the spotlight when Netflix released a documentary titled Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly.

Other Asian Games B-girls said they had seen it, and sympathised with the Australian.

Thailand's Vacharapa "Vivy" Orankicharoen said there was "no wrong or right" in breakdancing.

"I liked what she did, personally. She was representing herself and it really stood out," the 19-year-old said.

"I loved her confidence and the way she used the symbols of her country.

"People keep laughing at her for no reason, but we should support and protect this kind of confidence."

Vacharapa said she last week discussed with her coach the impact Gunn had on the sport, which made its Olympic debut in Paris.

"Because of her, breakdancing became famous," said the Thai.

"I don't know if in a good way or a bad way, but I want to say thank you to her.

"Her style was kinda cool. I liked it.

"I want her to keep going, I love it, what she did made really a lot of people know breaking.

"I never saw a performance like that before. It was unique."

O.Gutierrez--AT