What Happened to Suni Lee? Suni Lee Kidney Disease
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Updated Jun 29, 2024
What Happened to Suni Lee?
Suni Lee, following her triumph at the 2021 Olympics, faced a daunting diagnosis of an incurable kidney disease in early 2023, halting her training. Despite enduring severe symptoms and managing eczema, she persevered with medical guidance. By January 2024, Lee's condition showed improvement, entering remission. Open about mental health struggles like imposter syndrome, she used therapy and journaling for coping.
Now, focused on the 2024 Paris Olympics, Lee's resilience shines as she navigates challenges, inspiring many with her determination and strength in pursuit of qualifying for Team USA once more. Her journey embodies perseverance amid adversity and health setbacks.
Suni Lee Kidney Disease
After winning at the 2021 Olympics, Suni Lee found out she had a rare kidney disease in early 2023. This stopped her from training for a while. She had swelling and other problems because of it. But by January 2024, her doctors said her condition was getting better and in remission.
She also deals with eczema, a skin condition. Suni has been open about how these health issues affect her. Now, she's focused on training again for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Suni's story shows how she's staying strong and determined despite these challenges.
Who is Sunisa Lee?
Sunisa "Suni" Lee is an American gymnast who won gold in the all-around and bronze on uneven bars at the 2020 Olympics. She also earned silver at the 2019 World Championships for floor and bronze for uneven bars. Lee is the first Hmong-American Olympian and the first Asian American woman to win the Olympic all-around title. She's been on the U.S. national gymnastics team six times and has six world championships and Olympic medals.
Lee has received many awards, including Female Athlete of the Year from Sports Illustrated and Sportswoman of the Year from the Women's Sports Foundation in 2021. She was also honored on Time's 100 Most Influential People list and received an Asia Game Changer Award. Her achievements make her one of America's most decorated female gymnasts, tying with others for the tenth-most-decorated spot.
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Sunisa Lee's Early Life
Sunisa Lee, born Sunisa Phabsomphou on March 9, 2003, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is of Hmong descent. Raised by her mother's partner, John Lee, from the age of two, she considers him her father and adopted his surname professionally as a teenager. Lee's interest in gymnastics began at age six after watching videos of gymnasts like Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson.
Her parents supported her passion by enrolling her in gymnastics classes at Midwest Gymnastics Center in Little Canada, Minnesota, where she started training under coach Punnarith Koy. By age eight, Lee had moved up three levels and showed early promise in the sport. She later transitioned to training under coach Jess Graba, who has guided her career since around age twelve.
Sunisa Lee Career
Suni Lee began her junior gymnastics career in 2015 and moved up to elite level in 2016. She won gold with the U.S. team at the Gymnix International Junior Cup in 2017 and earned silver on uneven bars. Lee committed to Auburn University on a gymnastics scholarship in 2017.
In 2018, she won gold with the U.S. team at the Pacific Rim Championships and gold on the balance beam at the U.S. Classic. Lee made her senior debut in 2019, winning the all-around at the City of Jesolo Trophy and medals at the U.S. Championships. She continued to excel, culminating in winning gold at the 2020 Olympics.
