Breaker Rachael Gunn has retired from competitive breaking due to the scrutiny she received following her performance at the Paris Olympics.
The 37-year-old became one of the defining athletes of the 2024 Games and her performance in the new discipline was a viral sensation, triggering some support but wider ridicule.
The sport has been dropped from the Olympics programme for Los Angeles Games in 2028, but Gunn said she will also step away from local competition.
“I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems a really difficult thing for me to do now, to approach a battle,” she said on 2DayFm on Wednesday. “I still dance and I still break but that’s like, in my living room with my partner.”
Although Gunn failed to progress past the first round of competition in Paris, her routines – which included a kangaroo hop and the sprinkler – became social media fodder.
The Australian’s profile exploded, and conspiracy theories emerged about how she qualified for the Olympics. She said the response was “really upsetting”.
“It’s still impossible to process, the conspiracy theories were totally wild, and it was really upsetting because I felt like I just didn’t have any control over how people saw me or who I was, who my partner was, my story.”
‘It was really sad’: Raygun speaks about reaction to Paris 2024 breakdancing performance – video
Through the negativity, there were also positives. Her performance was described by singer Adele midway through a concert in Munich during the Games as her “favourite thing that has happened in the Olympics”.
Gunn also met Sir Richard Branson, has featured in glossy magazines since her return to Australia and is currently featuring in an online promotion for a comparison website.
But while her profile has grown, she now feels she can’t compete within the burgeoning competitive Australian breaking scene.
“The level of scrutiny that’s going to be there and people will be filming it and it will go online, and it’s just not going to mean the same thing, it’s not going to be the same experience because of everything that’s at stake,” she said.
Gunn qualified for the Games by winning the 2023 Oceania Championships in Sydney, and due to a quirk in the calculation of rankings was even named the top-ranked female athlete in the sport in September.
That news came soon after Games, and prompted another wave of online vitriol. Gunn said she has tried to stay upbeat, and keeps a folder of positive messages.
“That’s what gets me through, the people that are like, ‘you have inspired me to go out there and do something that I’ve been too shy to do, you’ve brought joy, you brought laughter, we’re so proud of you’,” she said. “And just really frickin’ lovely things that people have written and that’s what I hold on to.”
By Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia and Ian Chadband For Australian Associated Press
Published: | Updated:
Sam Kerr didn’t feature in the Matildas’ impressive 2-1 win over Germany as she continues to recover from an ACL injury – but she made her presence felt on Instagram with a cutting remark about the TV coverage of the match.
It followed the midfielder’s epic long-range effort in Duisburg, which will be shown on repeat around the world.
Predictably, many football fans sided with Kerr on social media when it came to Pellizzeri’s unfortunate faux pas.
‘Commentator needs to get it right,’ one posted in response.
Another said: ‘Why am I not surprised.’
A third weighed in with: ‘How do you mess up the name Kyra.’
Germany dominated the early stages of the contest, taking the lead in just the fifth minute through Selina Cerci.
Sam Kerr didn’t feature in the Matildas impressive 2-1 win over Germany as she continues to recover from an ACL injury – but she made her presence felt on Instagram
Sam Kerr posted on the Matildas official page ‘well done Keira’ after commentator Teo Pellizzeri mispronounced Kyra Cooney-Cross’ name when calling the match
Kerr is pictured with Pellizzeri, who also covers matches for the A-League
Predictably, many football fans sided with Sam Kerr on social media
One supporter ‘was not surprised’ at the error in commentary, with another asking ‘how do you mess up the name Kyra’
Cooney-Cross’s first goal for the Matildas after 50 caps was a stunning, floating effort that cleared the German ‘keeper from a ridiculous distance (pictured)
The midfielder was mobbed by her teammates after finding the back of the net
However, under interim coach Tom Sermanni, the Matildas overcame a nervous start to record their first win over the Germans since 2005.
Having been gifted possession by Cerci, Cooney-Cross was quick to spot German goalkeeper Stina Johannes off her line.
She then unleashed a floating effort from almost 40 metres out that sailed over the back-pedalling custodian and into the back of the net, sparking euphoric celebrations.
Tottenham defender Clare Hunt then headed home the winner from a pinpoint Steph Catley corner in the 77th minute.
It completed an impressive comeback from the Matildas, who needed a confidence boost following a disappointing Paris Olympics campaign under former coach Tony Gustavsson.
The Germans were hoping to celebrate retiring forward Alexandra Popp’s final appearance with a win – but the gritty Matildas spoiled the party.
Attention now turns to the next international window in November and December, when the Matildas take on Brazil and then Chinese Taipei on home soil.
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Sam Kerr mocks soccer commentator who made a shocking mistake during the Matildas’ huge upset win over Germany
A wedding guest was left shocked after attending a family friend’s wedding where the guests were treated differently based on their “wealth”. The anonymous Reddit user shared their experience on the page @r/weddingshaming. The user explained that the groom is from an “extremely wealthy family who paid for the wedding”. However, the groom only accepted the money and the family was not involved in the wedding preparations. Elaborating on the poor arrangements, the guest revealed that after the wedding ceremony, they attended the “cocktail hour in the blazing sun, with one open bar and one bartender for about 150 guests. Not a single hors d’oeuvre is being passed around.” But the shocking part is yet to come. Talking about dinner arrangements, the guest wrote, “We then enter a large plastic tent where the dinner is to take place in the dead heat of summer at around 3 pm when the sun is still blazing hot. With only one door for ventilation.” Also Read:The 10-Week Plan: What To Eat Every Week For Wedding-Ready Skin, Hair And Health Coming to the food, the guest shared that “it was supposed to be a 7-course meal but one of the dishes was missed.” For the main, the guest got steak and “it was 4 slices of steak for 8 people. Two wine bottles were left at each table and there was no bar during dinner, which was fine.” However, the guests felt insulted when they realised that the “very wealthy” guests at the wedding had been given “a lot more and high-end wine bottles, scotch, tequila. And a plethora more food.” What’s more, there was no dessert at the end of the night, “just a table of Oreo boxes and cut-up apple slices.” The guest revealed that the “groom’s mother was left in tears because of how ashamed she was of how the majority of the guests were treated.” Also Read:Amy Jackson And Ed Westwick’s “Farewell Brunch” Featured A “Bread-Themed Tablescape”
The post has gone viral on Reddit and received a variety of reactions in the comments section: A user wrote, “Apple slices and Oreos? Was this a wedding reception or after-game snacks?” Another said, “It’s unfathomable to me but not entirely surprising that people behave like this.” A Redditor added, “Tiered guests is a new, tacky thing.” A user shared a similar experience, “We were at my husband’s assistant’s wedding. Lots of doctors and attorneys. There was a ‘doctor’ table and they all got prime rib. We at the attorney’s table got chicken. Husband is allergic to chicken. Enough said.” Have you ever attended any such wedding with “tiered guests”? Share with us in the comments section.
Beat Georgia one Saturday, lose to Vanderbilt the next.
No team has had a week quite like No. 2 Alabama. After earning the most impressive win of September by knocking off the Bulldogs, the Crimson Tide kicked off October with a loss at Vanderbilt that qualifies as one of the most shocking upsets in SEC history.
Led by a near-perfect performance from quarterback Diego Pavia, a ball-control game plan that kept Alabama’s offense on the sideline and two big takeaways, the Commodores knocked off Alabama 40-35 for the first win in program history against a top-five opponent. The win was the program’s first against the Tide since 1984.
The toast of the town last week, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer now has to manage the fallout from an epic flop. You can hear the Alabama fans from here: No, this would have never happened under Nick Saban.
That’s a fact. Vanderbilt scored 13 points in four meetings against the Saban-era Tide but had 13 points at the end of the first quarter on Saturday. Up 23-14 at the break, the Commodores weathered an Alabama surge and then delivered the dagger with a touchdown to make it 40-28 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Forget everything you thought you knew about Alabama — that this was an elite team, with an elite offense, an elite quarterback, an elite head coach and the chance to improve every week on the way to an SEC championship. This loss erases all of the good vibes coming out of the win against the Bulldogs and threatens to engulf DeBoer’s first season.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt put on a master class on how to pull off an upset against an opponent with a massive talent advantage.
The Commodores controlled the clock, holding possession for over 40 minutes. They avoided any turnovers. Alabama ran 46 plays to the Commodores’ 73, including 53 on the ground; they had more carries than the Tide had plays, period. They were unique enough on offense to wobble the Alabama defense. At times, the Commodores took what they wanted against a defense and staff that had no answers.
And they were helped by the obvious: Alabama thought they were going to roll. Would that mindset have happened under Saban? The answer is moot. Saban is gone, and things just aren’t the same.
For this, Alabama is by far the biggest loser from Week 6 of the regular season:
Winners
Ohio State
The No. 3 Buckeyes’ first test of the season went down smoothly in the second half. The first wasn’t great: OSU led just 7-0 against Iowa at the break after committing two turnovers with another turnover on the downs. But the offense came alive in the second half, sparked by freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and established veteran Emeka Egbuka with a boost from the Hawkeyes’ own giveaways. Smith made a ridiculous one-handed touchdown grab to make it 14-0 five minutes into the third quarter, quarterback Will Howard ran one in after an Iowa fumble and Egbuka scored twice in the second half and three times overall as the Buckeyes pulled away to win 35-7.
SMU
SMU has been an unexpected success story as new members of the ACC. The Mustangs moved to 5-1 with a 34-27 win at No. 22 Louisville and is one of three 2-0 teams atop the conference standings, along with No. 14 Clemson and Virginia. (The Cavaliers are another great story under third-year coach Tony Elliott.) SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings had a career day against the Cardinals, setting new career bests with 281 passing yards and 113 rushing yards to go with a touchdown. Because this team might end up being an interesting addition to the postseason race: SMU plays Stanford, Duke, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Virginia and California in the second half.
Army and Navy
The two service academies continue to excel and set up the possibility of the rivalry’s most hyped meeting in generations. Army put Tulsa to bed early and cruised to a 49-7 win behind 321 rushing yards and an impressive 26.7 yards per pass attempt. Navy took care of business against the third wheel in the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, beating Air Force 34-7 to snap the Falcons’ four-game winning streak in the series. The Black Knights and Midshipmen are a combined 10-0 for the first time since 1945.
Indiana
No. 24 Indiana has spent enough time under the radar — this is a team worthy of praise amid one of the best starts in program history and deserving of a legitimate spot among the contenders for an at-large playoff bid. After beating Northwestern 41-24, the Hoosiers are 6-0 for the first time sine 1967 and locked into bowl play for the sixth time since 1993. Remade this offseason with a number of top transfers from the Group of Five, led by former Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Indiana is averaging 47.5 points per game and has topped the 40-point mark in all three games in Big Ten play.
Losers
Missouri
Facing a legitimate team on the road for the first time, Missouri was blasted by No. 21 Texas A&M in a 41-10 loss that reveals the Tigers as College Football Playoff pretenders while underscoring the Aggies’ obvious improvements under new coach Mike Elko. While never seen as a team legitimately capable of winning the conference championship, Missouri was expected to benefit from an expanded postseason format that could have space for every SEC and Big Ten team with fewer than three losses during the regular season. After starting league play with a double-overtime escape against Vanderbilt and getting run off the field by A&M, the Tigers can no longer be taken seriously in the playoff debate.
Oklahoma State
This season has come undone in a flash. Two weeks ago, Oklahoma State was No. 15 in the nation heading into the Big 12 opener against then-No. 10 Utah. Three games later, the Cowboys are an even 3-3 and at the bottom of the conference standings. If losses to the Utes (22-19) and No. 20 Kansas State (42-20) showed how far Oklahoma was from the top of the league, Saturday’s 38-14 loss at home to West Virginia says something worse: With the offense struggling and the defense falling apart, the Cowboys have gone from a possible at-large team to scrambling for six wins down the stretch.
North Carolina State
They’re nowhere near Florida State’s level of disaster, but NC State has to counted among the biggest disappointments in the Power Four at 3-3 and winless in the ACC at the midway point of the regular season. Ranked No. 22 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, the Wolfpack have wins against Western Carolina, Louisiana Tech and Northern Illinois; blowout losses to Tennessee and Clemson by a combined 65 points; and a really puzzling 34-30 loss on Saturday to Wake Forest, which had been floundering out of the gate but stole a road win with two touchdowns in the final eight minutes.
Alabama-Birmingham
UAB isn’t Alabama, as coach Trent Dilfer said after last week’s loss to Navy. Yeah, the Blazers aren’t Alabama A&M, either. The worst coaching hire of this and maybe any decade continues to pay off miserably for UAB, which dropped to 1-4 after losing 71-20 to Tulane. (Not a misprint.) It turns out that hiring an unqualified, arrogant, unproven former NFL quarterback to run one of the most consistently successful programs in the Group of Five was, in fact, an awful decision. That’s being way too nice: Dilfer was handed a winner, pure and simple, and turned this winner into a punchline. The UAB fan base deserves much better than this.
There was little, if any, belief that Stanford football (2-2, 1-1 ACC) would be able to keep Saturday’s game against Clemson close. The Tigers, one of college football’s premier programs, had come off back-to-back blowout wins, even scoring 59 points in last week’s victory against NC State.
But despite the 40-14 loss, Stanford’s ability to keep the game within striking distance for three quarters should warrant approval by fans.
The rushing attack was potent, with the Cardinal tallying 236 yards on the ground. Micah Ford was the leading rusher, with 122 yards on 15 attempts. Junior quarterback Ashton Daniels also excelled on the ground, to the tune of 87 yards on 10 attempts, and only taking one sack.
Stanford’s first ever trip to Clemson was marred by mistakes, and although there were glimpses of hope, the final score of 40-14 showed that Stanford still has a ways to go to compete at the level they want to.
The Cardinal’s defense excelled for their second straight game in a hostile environment, showing signs of being a unit that the team can lean on. Junior cornerback Collin Wright displayed why he should be on NFL draft boards, getting his first pick of the season while also tackling well in space. The defense forced Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik into a rare inaccurate performance, as Klubnik completed less than 50% of his passes.
But self-inflicted wounds eventually came back to bite Stanford.
Early in the game, two turnovers and a failed fourth down conversion killed promising drives for the Stanford offense. A couple of ill-advised throws from Daniels in the first quarter began a disappointing day for the passing offense. Daniels passed for 71 yards and nine completions on 19 attempts, to go along with a touchdown and three interceptions, before exiting the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent ankle injury.
“We just did a poor job of taking care of the football,” Taylor said in a post-game press conference. “We should have had two field goals at the beginning. Then I really think it’s a different game.”
“If you’re gonna come into a place like this against a great team, you can’t have that many mistakes.”
Taylor lauded Daniels for his performance in the run game.
But, “quarterback is one of those [positions] where you can have 70 good plays and you have three bad plays, and it’s a rough game,” he said. “That’s just the nature of the position.”
Redshirt junior quarterback Justin Lamson came in for the remainder of the fourth quarter, and threw four completions and a touchdown in eight attempts. But Lamson also had the fumble on the first drive of the game that wiped away a first down, setting up a short field for Clemson’s first score.
Unfortunately, too many quick drives and turnovers by the offense kept the defense on the field for a long part of the night, and they were unable to keep Klubnik from connecting on deep passes late in the game. Stanford also missed some opportunities for scores due to Taylor’s aggressiveness on fourth down, but the former Sacramento State head coach does not regret his strategy.
“We’re not here to play to keep it close,” he said. “So we play the game and we make calls to go for it on certain downs to win the football game.”
Up next, Stanford will head back home to face the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC) on Oct. 5. While the Hokies possess a losing record, their controversial loss to Miami on Friday should keep Stanford fans on their toes for the rest of game week.
Injury Report
Daniels was knocked out of the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent ankle injury. Taylor said there were no updates on Daniels’ status during the post-game press conference.
Junior safety Jaivion Green also left the game during the first quarter after being injured on Klubnik’s 34-yard touchdown run. Similar to Daniels, Taylor noted there was no update on Green’s status.
According to Stanford play-by-play announcer Troy Clardy, junior wide receiver Mudia Reuben is out for the rest of the season. Reuben was injured in Stanford’s game against Syracuse last week.
Fifth-year defensive lineman Tobin Phillips had his first start since his injury against Cal Poly earlier this month.
Freshman wide receiver Emmett Mosley V made his collegiate debut after battling injuries during the first three games of the season. Mosley also had the first touchdown reception of his career in garbage time and tallied seven receptions for 48 yards for the game.
Inside linebacker Jahsiah Galvan made his Stanford debut in Saturday’s game. Galvan tallied his first sack in a Stanford uniform during the third quarter.
