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By Beth Stibal |

“Suni” Lee wins Olympic Gold in women’s individual all-around

Sunisa Lee
Gold medalist Sunisa Lee of the United States displays her medal for the artistic gymnastics women’s all-around at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A new star is born as 18-year old Sunisa Lee, from Saint Paul, Minnesota, became the fifth straight American to win the most coveted individual event at the Summer Games, the individual all-around in gymnastics.

Sunisa Lee
Sunisa Lee, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women’s all-around final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Lee leapt to the top of the podium with a positive attitude and an adorable smile. She was a breath of fresh air following the the negative fog surrounding the exit of the reigning all-around champion, Simone Biles, due to mental struggles with stress.

After taking the top prize, Lee said she did not feel pressure because she talked to coach and to herself and knew what she was capable of and either way she was going to be proud of herself for competing in the Olympics.
Suni Lee no pressure

Tokyo Olympics Artistic Gymnastics
From left to right, Gold medallist Sunisa Lee of the Unites States, silver medallist Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, and bronze medallist Angelina Melnikova, of the Russian Olympic Committee, take a selfie after the medal ceremony for the artistic gymnastics women’s all-around at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Sunisa’s dad, John, is wheelchair-bound after he was paralyzed in 2019 when he fell from a ladder. Before the crippling injury, he was the first Hmong-American Olympian in US history.
The competition was wide open and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade had an opportunity to pass Lee, but stepped out of bounds twice on the floor exercise.
However, Andrade still became the first gymnast in Brazil’s history to earn a medal in the all-around.

Tokyo Olympics Artistic Gymnastics
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade displays her silver medal for the artistic gymnastics women’s all-around at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 29, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Angelina Melnikova of the Russian Olympic Committee grabbed the bronze. Biles’ replacement, Jade Carey, finished eighth.

Biles famously withdrew following a strange vault on her first rotation during Tuesday’s team competition finals.
She somehow got “lost in the air.”

Biles’ teammates, Suni Lee, Grace McCallum and Jordan Chiles picked up the pieces and went on to win the silver medal despite her absence, finishing behind the ROC contingent.