SYDNEY — Rachael “Raygun” Gunn from Australia has defended her breakdancing abilities, claiming that much of the negative feedback she faced after her performance at the Paris Olympics last month stemmed from a lack of understanding about the sport.

Gunn quickly gained fame despite losing all three of her round robin matches with a total score of 54-0 during the sport’s Olympic debut at the Place de la Concorde.

She faced ridicule online and in traditional media for various aspects, including her style and her distinct green team uniform, which she characterized as “alarming” criticism.

At 37 years old, Gunn acknowledged that the chances were against her entering the competition, yet she asserted that she regarded herself as Australia’s top female breaker.

“I believe my track record reflects that,” she explained in her first interview with Australia’s Channel 10 since the Games.

“I was the highest-ranked Australian B-girl in 2020, 2022, and 2023, so the record exists. However, anything can happen during a battle.”

While Gunn noted receiving considerable support in light of the backlash, she expressed disappointment at hearing criticism from fellow Australian breakers.

“I regret the backlash the community has faced, but I can’t dictate how others respond,” she remarked.

“We need more resources in Australia to have a shot at being world champions.”

“Over the past year, I’ve dedicated myself to training hard. I’ve truly pushed my body and mind to the limit. But if that effort isn’t sufficient for some, what can I say?”

Gunn pointed out that much of the backlash was from individuals who lacked knowledge about the various breaking styles and her competition objectives.

“It was really disheartening to see how much negativity it generated,” she said.

“Many responses were simply from individuals who weren’t familiar with breaking and its diversity.”

“(However) the hostility and anger displayed were quite shocking.”

An online petition falsely claiming that Gunn manipulated the qualification process for her Paris spot garnered 50,000 signatures before the Australian Olympic Committee had it removed.

“The conspiracy theories were horrendous,” Gunn stated. “It was deeply upsetting because it highlighted not just people’s anger regarding my performance but also attacks on our reputation and integrity. None of these claims were based on any factual evidence. Some still refuse to accept the truth, which, unfortunately, seems to be our new reality.”

She mentioned that she’s not likely to compete again soon but feels confident she’ll recover from her experience in Paris without significant issues.

“I’ll manage, I’m okay,” she concluded. “I prefer to focus on the positives and the happiness I brought to others.”