It looks like Auburn’s prodigal daughter is on the fast track to defend her Olympic All-Around title. Despite the lingering kidney problem, Suni Lee has never hinted at taking her exit, and the upcoming Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships might be one of the final stepping stones for the 21-year-old to reclaim her throne. That chance received a major boost as USA Gymnastics recently approved Lee’s plea to perform in the all-around event at the Xfinity Championships.

At the recently concluded Core Hydration Classic, and even for months before that, Lee hadn’t competed in all four events. With such a long gap in her resume, the USAG believes it’s finally time for Lee to get back to her natural pastures, and fans understandably are elated by the prospects.

In a recent Reddit post, Lee’s latest career highlight has been shared with fans through the Subreddit r/Gymnastics. User Easy-Upstairs-8274 shared the original post by the official USA Gymnastics’ official X account, noting, “Sunisa Lee’s petition to compete in the Senior Women’s All-Around has been approved“. With that, Lee is set to make the most of the regulation that is hindering Gabby Douglas’ chance of making it to Paris as part of the national team.

Aiming for her return after eight years, Gabby competed in last month’s American Classic with hopes of getting back in the grove. However, with pitiful results in all four events, Douglas ranked 11th in the meet. But since she has already received an all around score in one of the classic competitions, Gabby had to forgo her petitioning options. However, the prospect of having Suni compensate for Douglas’ ordeals doesn’t look too shabby of a deal. With that, Suni’s stint with misfortunes seems to come to an end, something that started early last year and fans did not take time to welcome the positive development.

Gymnastics community prepares to welcome back Suni’s all-around self

Responding to the Reddit post, one fan thinks the fact that Suni cleared things out with the officials was a great move, while also mentioning that otherwise just showing her worth in Hartford last weekend should have been the way to go. In Connecticut, Lee didn’t appear for the uneven bars, making her petition a strong one, and the fan is just relieved by the gymnast’s prudent decision. “…just competing AA at Classics woulda been safer. Regardless, it’s good to have it official.” stated user Live-Anteater5706. This move will see Suni Compete in all-around all the way after February 24, 2023 when she competed for Auburn as a sophomore. Notably joining Auburn after Tokyo Olympics Suni became a part of the history.

She became the first Olympic all-around champion to compete at the NCAA. In the next two years, Suni took her collegiate career to a new height. “I felt like I was really at my peak. I was way better than I was at the Olympics. So I was feeling really confident in myself,” Suni had said about that time. But luck had other plans for her. In 2023, she was diagnosed with a kidney disease that put an abrupt end to her collegiate career. From that point, the battle became more of a mental one that physical.

Her elite career was in doldrums. Despite securing a bronze medal on beam at the U.S. Championships, just a few weeks later, she declined an invite to the world team selection camp. “I think my lowest point was after championships, I don’t know. I pulled out of the world championship selection camp and I stopped doing gymnastics for four months,” Suni had said, recalling her struggle.

But, with all her grit and the support from her coaches, the 2022 NCAA champ gradually came out of that slump. USAG approving her petition looks like a culmination of all her struggle. Even her fans were eagerly waiting for this. “Her petition has been my intrusive thought for the last week I swear….What a relief“, commented user PM_ME_CORGI_BUTTS.

Even more fans are relieved to see that the petition system is actually making a difference. Over the years, the USA Gymnastics infrastructure has been slammed by loyal supporter of the sport and gymnasts alike for harboring an environment that’s not necessarily in cohesion to the sport’s future on the international stage. However, one fan believes that this petition system might be the thing to change that scenario finally. “It feels like her situation is exactly what the petition process is for.” wrote Redditor jensenaackles, getting their hopes high to see Suni’s impeccable bar routine once again next weekend.

However, one fan is of the opinion that the USAG might be looking at every possible way of getting its goodwill back. With the Larry Nassar making tidal waves across the country’s gymnastics community, this fan believes accepting the Olympian’s request was the only way forward and not incite another meltdown from the fans. “The backlash would be catastrophic for their image. They still haven’t recovered their reputation from the debacle of the Karoylis/Nassir.” commented the fan, with a minor error to the former USA Women’s Gymanstics’ doctor’s name.

And yet, user Crikeyiwillforgetl8r thinks Suni’s past accolades should have been enough to guarantee a spot for her in the nationl team headed to the French capital in July. “…if you are an Olympic All Around Champion (or even “just” an Olympic gold medalist) you should have a standing invite to any domestic meet you want, for life,” noted the fan. Truly, that is something that no one can take away from her. Suni had heard many times that she wouldn’t have won if four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles didn’t withdraw from the competition. But this another side as well.

Had Suni not been there in Tokyo, who would have stepped into Simone Biles’ shoes? Edging out a strong opponent like Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, Suni maintained an American streak of five consecutive all-around Olympic titles in women’s gymnastics. Only six American women have ever won the title and Lee’s entered that league forever. With so many opinions about Suni’s return to all four events next week, which of her routines will you look forward to the most? Tell us in the comments.