This is exactly why Raygun got a zero for her Olympics performance, according to an expert

At least she was good at breaking the internet


The head judge at last week’s Olympic breakdancing competition has spoken out about why the viral Australian competitor, Raygun, received a score of absolutely zero. The 36-year-old athlete went viral for her performance in which she hopped like a kangaroo and squirmed on the floor – and whilst the world thought it was iconic, judges weren’t impressed.

Here’s exactly why breakdancing icon Raygun got a zero in her Olympics performance

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Speaking in a press conference, the chief judge, who goes by the name MGbility explained that Rayon’s zero score was handed out as she did not beat any of her competitors in a head-to-head battle. The score did not reflect the quality of her performance, simply that the other women she faced were better. MGbility explained that comparative judging system.

Breaking, he explained, only gives out points to the winner of a head-to-head breakdancing battle. An excellent performance will still receive zero points if it’s up against an even better performance.

He said: “We stay with her. We have five criteria in the comparative judging system. Just her level was maybe not as high as the other competitors.

“Again, we’re using a comparative judging system. Her competitors were just better but it doesn’t mean that she did really bad. She did her best.”

MGbility defended Raygun’s performance, real name Rachel Gunn, who is a full-time university lecturer alongside her breakdancing career, saying: “The breaking and hip hop community definitely stands behind her. She was just trying to bring something new, something original and something that represents her country.”

Yesterday it was revealed that Raygun has been offered mental health support after her Olympic routine went viral, spawning thousands of internet memes.

https://x.com/BitesOfNet/status/1821957957950829047

Team Australia boss, Anna Meares has also hit out at the online response to Raygun, taking aim at sexist “online trolls” and “keyboard” warriors.

Raygun herself has also spoken out about the trolling, saying about her performance: “All my moves are original. Creativity is really important to me. I go out there and I show my artistry.

“Sometimes it speaks to the judges, and sometimes it doesn’t. I do my thing, and it represents art. That is what it is about.”

The 36-year-old also spoke of her disappointment at the news that breaking will not be including in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: “What is an Olympic sport? What are the similarities between dressage and artistic swimming and the 100m sprint and the pentathlon?

“Breaking is clearly athletic, it clearly requires a whole level of dedication across a number of different aspects. It’s really bringing a new level of excitement.”

Raygun seemingly put aside her disappointment on Sunday night, as she performed for her Aussie teammates before the Olympic closing ceremony in Paris.

Raygun was knocked out of the competition at the round-robin stage, with Japan’s competitor, Ami, going on to win gold in the women’s breaking competition and beating Lithuania’s Nicka, one of Raygun’s three opponents.

Making its debut at the Olympic Games for the first time ever in 2024 on a trial basis, breaking was confirmed as one of the sports which will not be featured in the 2028 games in Los Angeles.

For more like this explainer of why breakdancer Raygun got zero at the Olympics and all the latest news, drops, quizzes and memes, like The Tab on Facebook

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Featured image via Instagram @raygun_aus and X @Hthemagnificent