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Despite a controversial Olympic performance that divided the internet and left her with a score of zero, Raygun (aka Rachael Gunn) holds the number one female breakdancer in the world spot.

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has, however, been ridiculed for its rankings and is in a crisis of credibility.

The breakdancing world is understandably spinning out about her ranking which has now forced the sport’s governing body to issue a statement explaining its methodology to “address concerns” and “provide clarity”. It explained that “ranking events” had intentionally not been held between the end of 2023 and the start of the Olympics, to allow athletes to “focus solely” on the Games.

And that doing so, had created a set of “unique circumstances” which meant that some athletes had been ranked based only on a single event.

“The world rankings as they currently stand should be interpreted in conjunction with results from recent global breaking competitions for a more accurate reflection of the global competitive landscape,” the statement added.

Athlete are assessed on their top four performances in the last 12 months and Olympic events, including qualifiers, were excluded.

The ‘organic nature’ of the sport, which doesn’t often fit regulated competition, has also raised doubts over whether breakdancing, which had its debut in Paris but isn’t scheduled for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, should have been included in the Olympics in the first place.

 

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In an interview with the Associated Press, Zack Slusser, vice-president of Breaking for Gold USA, claimed that the WDSF had “no real merit” in the breaking community and had failed to plan events that would “contribute to creating an accurate world ranking.”

Breakers were only performing at World DanceSport Federation-organized events to get points for the Olympics, he alleged, and they had “no incentive” or “desire” to continue competing in WDSF events beyond Paris. Why would you need an overlord governing body when a cardboard box and some LL Cool J are all the breakers really need and want?

Raygun has at least finally ‘spoken out’ after being ridiculed by the entire planet.

 

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Ranking Raygun as the world’s number one breaker won’t win the WDSF any street cred either, but it’s remarkable how much her bustin’ moves have brought attention to a sport. For that alone, Raygun is the Andre Agassi of breakdancing.

[source:bbc]