Rachael Gunn: Aussie breaker reveals the savage bullying the nation’s best dancers are copping in the wake of Raygun’s Paris performance

A leading Australian journalist has revealed that some of the country’s top dancers have been subjected to brutal online bullying after Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn’s bizarre performance went viral at the Paris Olympics.

While Leah Clark has sympathy for Gunn, her focus is on her fellow B-girls who are being harassed by social media trolls, in some cases even receiving prank phone calls at work.

“It really hit us. B-girls are absolutely devastated,” said Clark, who runs a dance performance space in Brisbane.

‘How can I try to get sponsorship and grant money for innovative programs? [for a sport] that has just been made fun of?

‘And how can we represent our country at other world events if Australia has been made a fool of?

Clark said she has also been trolled online and that other B-girls have had to keep their social media accounts private to avoid abuse.

She also indicated that qualification for Paris was in doubt as many front-line participants were unable to take part.

Reasons for this included the lack of announcement by organisers prior to the Oceania qualifying event in Sydney last year and the fact that the winner needed a valid passport to fly to Paris.

University lecturer Rachel Gunn competed in Paris – and received no points from the judges, earning her worldwide ridicule

An adult passport costs just under $400 in Australia. The result was that there were few women at the qualifying events.

Koh Yamada, a respected figure in the Australian dance community, cited Australian citizenship as another stumbling block that has prevented many of Australia’s top talents from qualifying for the Olympics.

Yamada has been a frequent winner of national street dance competitions in recent years, but chose not to compete because he does not hold Australian citizenship, only permanent residency.

‘I also know that there are a lot of B-girls in Australia who don’t… [compete]’, and probably for similar reasons,’ he said The Guardian.

Meanwhile, mMarketing and public relations expert Max Markson said that while Gunn is a controversial figure in her own country, some of the world’s biggest international companies are keen to capitalise on her fame. She could even become a millionaire.

It follows her toe-curling performance, which includes her doing kangaroo jumps, writhing like a snake and the iconic Australian ‘sprinkler’ move.

“She has a huge brand,” Markson told Ny Breaking Australia.

‘Her reputation in Australia isn’t great, but she’s famous worldwide.

‘I don’t think everyone in other countries is aware of how Australians feel about her.

Marketing and public relations expert Max Markson believes Gunn could become a millionaire if sponsors come knocking after the Paris Olympics

Gunn’s leftfield performances, such as the one above dubbed the ‘kangaroo’, have caused a stir online

‘I think Australian marketers will avoid her for that reason, but I’m sure there’s someone in this country who will.

‘She receives international offers from sports shoe brands such as Adidas or Puma, food companies such as McDonald’s or KFC, electric cars and a telephone company such as Telstra, Optus or Vodafone.

“There will also be other international companies that want her.”

Markson added that her financial capabilities extend beyond just marketing big brands.

‘She has a PhD, she has a real background [in breaking]so she will also get speaking engagements. She is also attractive to children,’ he said.

“People will want her on TV, there will be a TV appearance for her within six months.”