The road to greatness is often filled with unexpected twists and turns. Nobody knows this better than a competitive gymnast. One injury is all it takes for a gymnast to miss tournaments and lose their form. Setbacks not only affect athletes physically but are also equally challenging mentally, and Sunisa Lee knows this all too well.

As the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gymnastics all-around gold medalist, Lee was at the pinnacle of her career, feeling stronger than ever, back in February. However, fate had other plans, and Lee’s journey took an unforeseen detour.

Sunisa Lee’s health issues

After a spectacular run at the Tokyo Olympics that saw her winning gold, Lee was in great shape. Back in January and February, she was figuring out new moves and routines while working toward future tournaments. However, that run was cut short when a kidney-related health issue emerged, forcing her to end her sophomore season at Auburn University prematurely. Since then, the 20-year-old gymnast has been on a determined path of recovery and healing. For the past five months, Lee has been diligently working her way back to the sport she loves. But, the process has not been without challenges. The gymnast has faced numerous doctor’s appointments, medications, and inconsistent training, all of which have made finding a rhythm a formidable task.

According to an Olympic report, Lee said,??I could wake up very swollen some days and not be able to put my fingers inside my grips. It?s really difficult to kind of work through, but on the days that I can do stuff and I am feeling good, I try and take advantage of that and just get everything done.??Despite the obstacles that have come her way, Lee is determined to make her return to competition. This week, she will step back into the spotlight at the U.S. Classic in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

As she makes her comeback, Lee’s competition plans remain flexible. The primary goal is to secure her qualifying score for the U.S. championships in August. Her coach, Jess Graba, explained that they will make a game-time decision on which events Lee will perform. However, Graba maintained that even though Lee’s skill level is improving, her stamina remains the biggest challenge to overcome. With Lee returning to competitive gymnastics after a brief break, she sets her sight on next year’s Olympics along with other returning gymnasts.

Sunisa Lee’s Olympic Dreams

Next year’s Paris Olympics are less than a year away. By slowly returning to elite gymnastics, Lee plans to get back her form for next year’s Olympics. She plans to get used to the intensity by participating in all 4 elite gymnastics events that lie ahead, including the World trials. Joining her on this extraordinary journey are two other formidable Olympic all-around champions – Simone Biles, the gold medalist in 2016, and Gabby Douglas, the winner in 2012. As they unite to make a run at a second Olympics, the trio stands as a testament to the endurance and brilliance of their sport.

Read more: Two Years After Winning Olympic Gold Sunisa Lee Receives an Unlikely Message

As Sunisa Lee prepares to step back into the competitive arena, the gymnastics world awaits her return with bated breath. Her resilience and determination are a testament to the true essence of a champion, proving that, even in the face of adversity, greatness can still be achieved.

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