Suni Lee Makes History As She Wins Gymnastics Gold For Team USA

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“SHE DID IT!” was trending on Twitter minutes after Suni Lee won gold. 

On Thursday at the Tokyo Olympics, the 18-year-old Minnesotan won gold in the women’s gymnastics all-around.

Along with continuing the 17-year winning streak in the gymnastics category, Lee is the first Hmong American to even compete in the Olympics. She’s also the first Asian woman of any nationality to win Olympic gold in the all-around.

“This is such a surreal moment. I just feel like I could have never been here ever. It doesn’t even feel like real life,” she said after winning.

The celebration is well-deserved, as it has been a long and bumpy road for Lee, and her family, to achieve this victory. 

In the last few years, Lee has suffered injuries including a broken foot and an Achilles injury, lost an aunt and uncle to Covid-19 and struggled with a terrible accident that left her dad paralyzed.

In 2019, her dad John was trimming a tree with a neighbor when he fell and was paralyzed from the waist down.

Lee’s dad supported her gymnastics from the start, even building her a balance beam due to their tight financial means, as well as helping her perform stunts around the house. 

“I was always jumping on the bed or having my dad spot me while I was doing backflips and stuff like that,” Lee told TwinCities.com. “Finally, my mom got tired of it” — and that’s when she signed up for gymnastics.

While the U.S. cheered for her, no one was rooting as hard as her family. 

At 16, Lee made her senior debut at the US gymnastics championships mere days after her father’s horrific accident, at his urging. 

She competed in honor of her dad and won the gold medal on uneven bars, the silver in the all-around (right behind Simone Biles) and bronze on the floor routine. 

With this win, Lee joins a prestigious list of American Olympic all-around champions: Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin, Gabby Douglas, and Simone Biles.

When Biles withdrew from the individual all-around, Lee stepped up in the individual event the U.S. has won at four straight Olympics.

Initially meant to be a showcase for the all-time GOAT, the all-around category was now up for grabs with Biles taking herself out of competition. 

Lee’s routine on the uneven bars was unparalleled, cementing her place as one of the best in the world in the event. 

She had to choose between two routines — one insanely-hard and one a little less insanely-hard. 

She went with insanely-hard, and it was perfect.

The U.S. team was yelling, “C’mon! C’mon!” as she effortlessly (I know it’s not effortless but she made it appear that way) flew between the bars. 

Her dismount was flawless—she stuck the landing SO HARD, not a wobble in sight.

When the results were announced, Lee, known for being calm and composed, began crying.

“The waiting game was something I hated so much, but when I saw my score came out on top, it was so emotional,” Lee said after the meet. “It doesn’t feel like real life.”

Minutes before receiving her gold medal, Lee FaceTimed her family, where over 100 people were gathered at a watch party in St. Paul, Minnesota. “I did it!” Lee said she yelled into her phone. “And then we all started crying. It was a very surreal moment.”

“My community is so amazing,” Lee said. “They were all watching together and got to see me win a gold medal. Many people from the Hmong community don’t reach their goals, and I want them to know you can reach your dreams and don’t ever give up. You never know.”

Her performance is a testament to her resilience and courage leading up to this moment.

The world’s eyes are on Suni Lee, and she is shining bright.

Did you see Suni Lee win the gold? What was your favorite part of her routine? Let us know in the comments!

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