Why Raygun is now the top-ranked women's breakdancer in the world

Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, more commonly known as B-Girl Raygun, has ascended to the top of the sport's World Ranking List.

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) announced Raygun as the world's No. 1 B-Girl on Monday, followed by Japan's B-Girl Riko and Ukraine's B-Girl Stefani. Raygun became a viral sensation this summer after her unique performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics' breaking competition raised some eyebrows.

The new world ranking list did the same.

On Tuesday, the WDSF released a statement to "provide clarity on the ranking methodology and address the concerns raised" after "the recent rankings of B-Girl Raygun and B-Girl Riko have drawn particular attention."

The WDSF explained that both Raygun and Riko earned 1,000 ranking points following their first-place finishes at the Oceania Continental Championships in October 2023 and the Breaking for Gold World Series in December 2023, respectively. Despite the tie, the WDSF said Raygun earned the top spot because her Oceania Continental Championship "takes precedence" over Riko's win, according to the Breaking Rules and Regulations Manual.

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Each athlete's top four performances within a 12-month period count toward the ranking. Points earned by each breaker expire 52 weeks after the event date. (The Olympics was not counted as a ranking event.)

The WDSF explained that the world ranking list is skewed as a result of the Olympic cycle. Ranking events were not held from January through the 2024 Paris Games, and as a result, some athletes are ranked based on one event.

"By the end of the Olympic Games, many of the competition results included in the ranking had expired, leading to the current situation where many athletes have only one competition result contributing to their ranking," the WDSF said in a statement. "WDSF ranking events recommence later this year, therefore, 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 next WDSF Breaking for Gold World Series will be held in October in Shanghai.

Raygun, a 37-year-old college professor, gained notoriety at the Paris Games after she lost all three of her group-stage breaking battles and failed to score a single point. 

"I really appreciate the positivity, and I'm glad I was able to bring some joy into your lives. That's what I hoped," Gunn said in a video posted to Instagram in August following the Games. "I didn't realize that that would also open the door to so much hate, which has, frankly, been pretty devastating."

"I went out there, and I had fun. I did take it very seriously. I worked my butt off preparing for the Olympics, and I gave my all. Truly,” Gunn added. 

Contributing: Carrie McDonald