In an exciting development for artistic gymnastics, Olympic gold medalist Sunisa Lee is set to compete at the World Cup in Baku next month to showcase her new element in the sport's code of points. Lee, who secured an all-around gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, expressed her desire to participate in the upcoming Winter Cup competition in Louisville, Kentucky, scheduled for 24th February. Her aim is to secure a spot in the World Cup in Baku and introduce her innovative element to the gymnastics world.
Lee's decision to compete in the Winter Cup comes after withdrawing from last September's U.S. World team selection event due to health-related issues concerning her kidneys. The Winter Cup will mark her return to the competition arena, and she hopes to deliver a stellar performance that boosts her chances for the World Cup, which is set to take place from 7th to 10th March in Baku.
One of the highlights of Lee's participation in the upcoming competitions is the opportunity to submit a new skill to gymnastics' rule book. Her newly developed element is an unprecedented full-twisting, laidout Jaeger on the uneven bars. If successfully performed at an international competition such as the World Cup, this skill would be officially named 'the Lee' in her honor. Excited by the prospect, Lee shared a video on Instagram on 23rd January, showcasing her mastery of the skill after years of dedicated training.
Discussing the painstaking process of perfecting the element, Lee mentioned that it took her about two years to attain consistency and catch the move successfully. Although she had been working on it for some time, she now feels confident that it is ready to be showcased on the international stage. Her coach, Jess Graba, emphasized the importance of participating in the Winter Cup to secure the naming of the skill in Baku and remove any uncertainties heading into the spring season.
Despite her remarkable success at the Tokyo Olympics, Lee remains focused on her ongoing recovery and preparation, rather than dwelling on the distant 2024 Paris Games. However, she acknowledges that the forthcoming Olympics will bring added pressure since she now possesses the title of Olympic champion. Lee anticipates higher expectations from both fans and herself, understanding that the journey towards securing a spot on the U.S. team will be more demanding than before.
Lee's journey since her extraordinary Olympic triumph has been nothing short of life-changing. From her perseverance, dedication, and innovation, she has quickly become an icon in the world of gymnastics. As she continues to harness her skills and push the boundaries of the sport, fans eagerly await her upcoming performances. With her sights set on the World Cup in Baku, Sunisa Lee continues to inspire and pave the way for new heights in artistic gymnastics.
