Suni Lee's golden moment reverberates for Hmong people around the world on social media

The St. Paul gymnast's gold medal in the women's all-around brought posts filled with excitement, reflection and pride.

July 29, 2021 at 6:21PM
Sunisa Lee of the United States, center, with her gold medal and Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, left, with her silver medal, stand during the medal ceremony following the women's all-around gymnastics competition at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Tokyo on Thursday, July 29, 2021. (Chang W. Lee/The New York Times)
Suni Lee of St. Paul stood during the medal ceremony after winning the gold medal for the women’s all-around gymnastics competition. (Chang W. Lee, New York Times/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Suni Lee's gold medal performance in the women's gymnastics all-around on Thursday made her an instant sports icon in the state of Minnesota, but it also carried a significant meaning to Hmong people around the globe — who witnessed one of their own climb to the apex of sports.

Here is a collection of reactions from members of the Hmong community — from citizens and politicians in Minnesota to authors, poets, journalists, activists and fans around the world — who took to social media after Lee's victory:

State Sen. Foung Hawj and State Rep. Kaohly Vang Her, both from St. Paul, noted what a moment this was for the Hmong community:

Nancy Yang, a Hmong-American journalist for Minnesota Public Radio, had made a bold prediction about Lee when she reported on her four years ago:

And several Hmong writers and poets noted what a proud and representative moment this was:

But if it was a moment of celebration, it was also a time for some to reflect on what brought this moment of visibility, how hard that road has been and how difficult the path forward remains. Activist Bee Vang — who was one of the first Hmong American actors to gain attention in the United States when he stared in Clint Eastwood's 'Gran Torino' — detailed some of those mixed emotions in his thread.

To see the rest of the thread, tap here.

about the writer

about the writer

Jeff Day

Reporter

Jeff Day is a Hennepin County courts reporter. He previously worked as a sports reporter and editor.

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