With unorthodox dance routines like "sprinklern" and "känguruhoppet", Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, went viral on social media after the Olympic Games in Paris.
The Australian, who is a researcher in dance and gender politics in her daily life, lost all her matches with 0–18 and was ridiculed for her performance. Rumors spread about her qualifications and a discussion started about whether breaking – which made its debut in the Olympic Games context – should have been included in the Games at all.
Now Rachael Gunn announces that the whole experience has been so stressful that she has decided to stop competing.
I had no control over how people saw me. I had actually thought about continuing to compete, but it feels very difficult now, she says in an interview with the local radio station 2DayFM, reports BBC.
If she were to compete again, she believes her performance would be scrutinized.
People will film it and put it online.
Rachael Gunn says that the criticism has taken the joy out of the sport for her.
I don't think people should have to feel crap about the way they dance. I still dance, I still break. But you know, nowadays it's in my living room with my partner, she says.
