I Was Panicking”: Hours Before Her Return Sunisa Lee Gives an Unsettling Update on Hear Mental Health

On August 4, the most-awaited US trials are going to take place at NOW arena, Chicago. Simone Biles, the US gymnastics star, will return to the mat after a 2-year hiatus. However, besides Biles, a 20-year-old Minnesota gymnast who left everyone in awe at the Tokyo Olympics will also be coming back to secure her ticket at the Big Games.

Sunisa Lee, with her charm and grace, maintained the streak of American wins in the Tokyo Olympics. The athlete who was aiming to secure Silver secured gold with a staunch performance on the bars. And now, Lee will be performing at the 2023 US championship trials. However, Lee who will participate in US Classics will not be the same as who participated in the Tokyo Olympics, two years ago. The athlete shared an update on her mental health recently.

Sunisa Lee’s journey is different than the last time

Sunisa Lee is going to participate in the 2023 U.S. Classics on August 4. But the anxiety of competing for the position she secured last time has started to render her in worry, as her journey after Tokyo has changed the course of her life. Lee, who thinks she’s not the same person who showed an impeccable enigma on the bars one year ago stated in an interview with AP News,  “I was panicking, I feel like I’m not going to be the same gymnast I was before. And it’s going to be really hard because a lot of people add to that title.”

The 20-year-old Sunisa Lee will have to live up to the performance of her 18-year-old self, who had three medals dangling around her neck during the Tokyo Olympics. But the circumstances changed for the gymnast as only a few months later her Tokyo win, Sunisa Lee, suffered from some kidney-related issues. Since then, the athlete has been struggling mentally and with training due to swelling and fatigue issues. Sunisa Lee also had to quit during her sophomore year at Auburn after helping the Tigers team lead for two years. Currently, the gymnast trying to calm herself down and not put pressure on herself, As the athlete told the media, “I know what I’m capable of doing right now.”

Sunisa Lee’s handling her injuries in a smart way

Sunisa Lee’s coach, Jess Graba, revealed to the media that the Olympic gold medalist is only at 60% of her form as compared to her form before the Tokyo Journey. The athlete has also struggled with training and cut her training time short many times while preparing for the trials. But Lee’s team is trying to be smart with the training and is not pushing the gymnast. Sunisa Lee believes her adrenaline will do her more harm than good. Although Lee suffered from an ankle injury in Tokyo Olympics as well, but managed to train every day and secure her gold. But After her Tokyo journey, the athlete has learned to adjust and adapt and knows what steps she needs to take.

Also read: Simone Biles’ Biggest Competition: The Challengers at US Classics 2023

The athlete is hopeful about securing her place at the Olympics if her physical and mental health gets better, as she told the media “I really know that I can do it, so if I just get myself back to a healthy place then i’ll be right on for the Olympics.”  but as the new Sunisa Lee.

Watch this story: Simone Biles’ Fanbase Welcomes Their Queen With Open Arms After Gymnast Faces Backlash for Long Hiatus