Sunisa Lee entered the US Classic event held in Chicago with a goal. The 20-year-old Olympic gold medalist wanted to use the stage to propel herself to nationals without straining her already ailing body. Standing before the huge attendance, Lee spun, vaulted, and flipped. Her hard work paid off when the results were announced, and she qualified for the upcoming Nationals in San Jose.

Sunisa Lee has amassed a very loyal fanbase in a very short time. She has secured a spot on the national team six times and has represented America at the Olympics once. Suni has come a long way despite her bad kidneys compelling her to halt her career. The gymnastics sensation thanked all hands that ensured the safety of her health. Lee said she felt blessed after returning to the sport and shared a heart-warming message.

Sunisa Lee shows her gratitude and a heartfelt message

Despite her many complications, Suni Lee?s medical team ensured she could do her best when she stepped on the mat on 5th August 2023. Their combined effort paid off as Lee received a score of 14.50 in beam balance and a score of 13.50 in vault. In fact, she had the highest beam balance score in the first round and even outscored Queen Simone Biles. Lee eventually took the second position in the category and qualified for the US Nationals.

Sunisa Lee took to social media to express how blessed and grateful she felt. Sharing an Instagram post where she said, ?feeling blessed & so so grateful. This comeback was so much more than my return to elite gymnastics. It was me proving to myself that I can overcome hard things.??The three-time Olympic gold medal winner also said she hopes her effort inspires people. Lee further said, ?Never let life?s setbacks stop you from going after your dreams.??While the gymnast qualified for San Jose, things didn?t go as she and her coach had planned.?

The difficulties faced in US Classic

It was not easy for Sunisa Lee to compete again. The ace gymnast doubted whether she should even attend the event. The Minnesota native saw equal hours of medical treatment and training in the past few months. Lee had to prematurely end her college career at Auburn University because of her unhealthy kidneys. The gymnastics star had revealed that she would wake up with swellings all over her body on many days. She also reported her fingers hurting to the point where she couldn?t even get her fingers inside her grips.

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While Sunisa wanted to participate in three categories, her health did not allow that. Lee was looking forward to participating in the uneven bars category. Her coach, Jess Graba, had already ruled out the floor exercise category. Graba and Suni planned to do well in beam balance and uneven bars and keep the vault as a backup option. Lee’s podium training performance on the uneven bars had stunned and awed the world. However, she couldn?t partake in the category. Despite this, Suni didn?t back down and did her best to qualify, and the rest is history. Sunisa Lee will now look at her next stepping stone to reach Paris, where she will defend her Olympic gold medal.

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