Sunisa Lee is an American artistic gymnast. She represented the US in top events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, etc.
She was born Sunisa Phabsomphou on 9 March 2003 in Minnesota, USA. Aged 21, she was on the silver-winning US team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Quick Info
Real Name | Sunisa Phabsomphou |
Age | 21 [as of 2024] |
Birthplace | Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA |
Education | Auburn University |
Height | 5 feet [152 cm] |
Weight | N/A |
Ethnicity
Sunisa Lee belongs to the Hmong ethnic community. She is an American citizen.
Her mother Yeev Thoj is a healthcare worker. Her mother immigrated from Laos to the US after the Vietnam War.
She was also raised by her mother’s partner John Lee from age 2. She changed her surname to Lee professionally, considering him her her father.
Suni has three half-siblings including Evionn Lee, a regional gymnast. She has two half-siblings from her father’s past relationship.
Personal Life
Growing up, Suni was an active child and used to watch video clips of gymnasts such as Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin. Her father John noticed this and built a balance beam. She spent most of her time there and even learned a backflip.
Noticing her talent, her parents enrolled her at the Midwest Gymnastics Center. Only a year later, she began competing and winning several competitions too. She qualified for elite aged 11.
Following high school graduation from South St. Paul Secondary in 2021, she joined Auburn University, majoring in business marketing. She left the university citing health issues.
Career
As a junior, Sunisa Lee made her international debut in 2015 and became a junior elite a year later. She represented the US junior national team in 2017 at the Gymnix International Junior Cup and won gold.
Next year, she won gold for the team, and silver in vault, balance beam, and floor at the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships. Later in 2018, she won gold in uneven bars and silver in balance beam at the US National Championships.
Her senior career started in 2019 with the 2019 City of Jesolo Trophy winning gold in almost all events. She was also part of the gold-winning US team at the Stuttgart World Championships.
She didn’t participate in any events in 2020 due to the global pandemic. In 2021, she made many notable appearances including the Tokyo Olympic Games, where the US won silver, and secured gold in all-around with bronze in uneven bars.
In 2022, she made her NCAA debut representing Auburn Tigers. She won gold in her debut and was placed first on the balance beam at the 2022 NCAA Championships. Citing her performances, she was crowned the 2022 SEC Freshman of the Year title.
She continued her NCAA career till March 2023 before calling it quits due to an unknown rare kidney disease. Her comeback was around 6 months later at the 2023 US Classic. Later that year, she competed in the 2023 US Championships and won bronze.
Prior to representing the US team along with four other gymnasts including Hezly Rivera in the 2024 Summer Olympics, she participated in events such as the 2024 Winter Cup and American Classic.
Unknown Facts
- She is represented by Smith & Saint.
- She competed on the 30th season of the reality dance competition show Dancing with the Stars.
- Suni has a tattoo of the Olympic Five Rings symbol on her left forearm.
Read about other personalities:
Photo credit: @sunisalee – Instagram.