Sunisa aka Suni Lee is a world’s renowned gymnast, living in the US. The stage of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 showcased her as the best gymnast, winning the Gold Medal for her country. She has been an integral part of the national gymnastics team for 6 straight times. Interested in Suni Lee ethnic background or her personal life? Stay tuned as we’ll be covering everything about her in this story!
Due to her outstanding flexibility and mobility, she is a star in the world of gymnastics. Having built a net worth of $3 million, she has already paved her route to success at the age of 19 only. World Championship 2021 was held in Germany where she made her presence felt as the team won the gold medal.
Moreover, in 2021, Time magazine included her in the list of the world’s most influential people. Apart from that, she has already put several awards in her kitty. In 2021, she appeared on ABC’s show “Dancing with the Stars” grabbing the 5th position. It’s definitely a huge achievement at such a young age.
Suni Lee Ethnic Background
The gold medalist is of Hmong descent. The ethnic background roots in Laos, Vietnam, and a few parts of China as well. The ethnic group emerged during the Vietnam war as they were recruited by the US government to keep the communists out of Laos.
However, as the war ended, the Hmong community was declared to be the enemies of the state as they assisted America. So, they had to move out. Hence, the Hmong community started migrating and settling in several different places across the world.
Early Life & Parents
Suni Lee’s real name is Sunisa Phabsomphou. She was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota on the 9th of March 2003. Her mother’s name is Yeev Thoj and she is a medical worker. Yeev migrated from Laos when she was a kid. The real identity of Suni’s father is still unknown to this date. However, when Suni was 2 years old, Yeev met John Lee.
Both of them started dating and he helped Yeev to raise Suni Lee. They never got married. John Lee himself was a divorcee and had 2 kids. Suni Lee is extremely appreciative of John Lee and considers him her father. Hence, she has even changed her surname to “Lee”.
Lucky, Evionn and Noah are Suni Lee’s half-siblings. When Lee was just 6 years old, she started professional training for gymnastics. She even participated in the Minnesota State Meet where she won the competition quite easily.
From thereon, she consistently took training sessions from her mentor Punnarith Koy until the age of 12.
Career & Net Worth
Right from her childhood, she was gifted with exemplary skills. Therefore, in 2016, she started her career as a junior elite. Her first major international tournament came in 2017 when she competed in the Gymnix International Junior Cup as a part of the junior national team. Suni Lee ethnic background or young age was not an obstacle as nothing stopped her!
Here came her first-ever silver medal in the uneven bar competition. Plus, the team won a gold medal as well.
Then, in 2018, after her back-to-back successes, she continued to participate in the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships. The team’s final competition won her a gold medal. Plus, she also won silver medals in competitions like balance beam, vault, and floor exercise.
US National Championships 2019 was a game-changer for her. She emerged in the topmost position in the uneven bar competition and won a gold medal. She even won a silver medal and a bronze medal for all-around and floor exercise events respectively.
As Simone Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics 2020, she got a chance to mesmerize the audience once again! One person’s loss is another’s gain, without a doubt. She won the gold medal in the all-around competition to make everyone proud in her country.
Injury
In 2020, Suni Lee suffered from broken bone in her foot. The year proved to be an opportunity to rest and regroup.
Come Back
She competed at the 2021 Winter Cup and won another gold medal in the uneven bar event. In the balance beam event, she won a bronze medal.
After her immense success, she has even appeared in shows like “Dancing with the Stars”.
Her net worth as of 2022 is $3 million. However, if she progresses at the same pace, she’ll soon be richer than you can ever imagine!
Father Injury
We just observe people’s success but forget to acknowledge their difficult journeys and who helped behind the scene. Suni Lee’s stepfather; John Lee, came back from the jaws of death when he fell on the floor while helping a neighbor trim a tree in 2019 just 2 days before Suni’s big competition at the US National Championships. Imagine how difficult it would’ve been for Suni to leave for the competition in such a situation
Eyelashes
At the Tokyo Olympics, Suni Lee donned a beautiful look, carrying fake lashes and long nails that remained untouched even in such a rollercoaster of a competition. She even won a gold medal in the all-around competition without hindering her impressive look.
Height & Weight
Her height is 5 ft 0 inches, while her weight is 51 kg. She has a slim and smart body that is even more flexible than rubber. Her gushing features and simplicity are literally over the moon!
Exercise Routine
Due to her constant participation in several competitions, she undergoes excessive and hardcore training sessions. Her exercise routine is extremely tiring as she works to improve her strength and flexibility. Bodyweight, yoga, intense training, and cardio all are part of her busy exercise routine.
Suni Lee Ethnic Background: A Short Ending Note
Suni Lee ethnic background is altogether different from that most of Americans. She might feel left out in a huge crowd. Despite all of it, she never gave up and kept on working to eventually be a champion. Her positive mindset and endless efforts have made her a unique icon at such a young age. And the best is yet to come!
