There has been an unexpected twist in the Raygun saga, with the Olympic breakdancer emerging as a sex symbol for fans around the world.
Rachael Gunn, 36, who uses the stage name Raygun, was mercilessly mocked for her ’embarrassing’ performance who saw her score three zeros in a row at the sport’s Olympic debut.
Her mental health is being closely monitored amid the online attacks after fans criticised the creative arts researcher at Sydney’s Macquarie University, who specialises in “the cultural politics of breakdancing”.
Amid all the insults, Raygun has also gained a lot of new fans, who have given her plenty of praise for her performance against rivals more than half her age.
And now it seems Raygun has gained a lot of admirers, with fans flooding social media to express their attraction to the 36-year-old married woman.
Social media user @hingo shared an Instagram photo of Gunn posing in front of a mirror while wearing her Australian uniform, with the caption: “Can I say something…”
Others picked up on Hingo’s allusion to Gunn’s attractiveness.
“I might be in love with her,” one fan said.
In a new twist in the saga that has the world talking, Raygun has become a sex symbol
Fans took to social media to say they were attracted to the Australian breakdancer, 36
Another said: ‘She’s really hot. [as f***]everyone knows it, the question is whether she is a good dancer.’
“Listen here…” said a third fan.
Raygun is coached by her husband of six years, breakdancer Samuel Free.
In an interview with Stan Sport ahead of his wife’s performance in Paris, he indicated that the cringe moves would likely be part of her routine.
“Mixed emotions, there’s a lot of pressure but also a lot of excitement,” he said.
“We can take something that we’re so passionate about and love and show it to the rest of the world, which largely hasn’t seen what we have to show.”
“She’ll definitely have a few autographs to show and there’ll be a few surprises in there as well, she’ll try to add a bit of an Australian touch.”
Raygun scored zero points at the Olympics and was the target of gross abuse on social media
When Stan’s presenter jokingly asked if Raygun would bring out the sprinkler during the Olympics, he replied: ‘Look, anything is possible, there’s a lot going on there at that time.’
“We’re not going to give away any secrets for the match at this point, but definitely keep your eyes peeled. There will be some surprises.”
Raygun was introduced to the sport through her future husband and admitted she wasn’t immediately enthusiastic about the idea.
‘Not long after we started dating, he took me to Hornsby PCYC where he trained [in breaking] with the boys,’ she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I thought it was cool, but not something I would ever try. As a dancer, I’ve spent years learning choreography; these guys were all doing their own thing, which was intimidating.
“He encouraged me to try it, but it was hard and overwhelming. A woman’s body is different than a man’s – we have hips – so when a crewmate said, ‘Just go up,’ I said, ‘That’s not going to work for me.’
“But Sammy recognized that, and that gave me a sense of strength.”