July 29, 2021
American gymnast Sunisa "Suni" Lee, 18, stunned spectators around the world with her breathtaking performance in Tokyo Thursday that earned her the gold.
Here are some interesting facts about Suni Lee, the gymnast queen:
- Suni's parents emigrated to the US from Laos, and are both Hmong, an ethnic group spread out throughout parts of Southeast Asia. Lee's triumph is the biggest accomplishment for an American Hmong.
- The Lees were a family of modest means after moving to Minnesota. Suni's father, John, built a four-foot-long balancing beam out of a spare mattress for Suni to practice on as a kid, which still stands in their backyard.
- In 2019, just before Suni was set to participate in the US National Gymnastics Championships, John got into a terrible accident while helping a friend trim a tree, which left him paralyzed from the waist down.
From Your Site Articles
More For You
Brazilian voters arrive at a polling station at Cidade Universitaria to cast their ballots in the second round of Brazil's presidential election in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 25, 2026.
Luis Boza via Reuters Connect
Elections have been taking place around the world in recent weeks – and if there’s one thing they have in common, it’s this: voters are fired up.
Most Popular
Airlines across the continent have been affected by threats, now in their second week, with some planes making emergency landings or being escorted by fighter jets.
Did the midterms tank Vance's 2028 chances? | The Debrief with Clayton Allen
On The Debrief, Clayton Allen explains why the vice president’s ties to Trump—and dependence on a fractured MAGA coalition—could make 2028 a race he chooses to skip.
From shopping to services, consumer spending is showing strength across categories. Holiday shopping got an early start, and it’s not just higher earners filling their carts. Bank of America Institute sees continued spending growth recovery for lower- and middle-income households. See what’s driving the trends.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.