Sunisa Lee, the defending Olympic all-around gold medalist and uneven bars bronze medalist, is considering attempting a new skill at the 2024 Paris Games. The skill, a full-twisting Jaeger on the uneven bars, would be named “The Lee” if successfully performed, making Lee the first woman to have a skill named after her in the sport’s Code of Points. The new move would be one of the most difficult elements in women’s uneven bars gymnastics.
The full-twisting Jaeger is a variation of the layout Jaeger, which is rarely attempted in competition due to its difficulty. Lee’s move adds a full twist to the layout Jaeger, further increasing the skill level required. Most gymnasts typically innovate on the Tkatchev skill on the bars, but Lee has chosen to take a different route by working on the Jaeger base.
Despite facing serious health issues last year, including a kidney disease diagnosis, Lee has been training to perfect the new skill. She attempted the move at the Winter Cup in February but fell during her routine. The risk and difficulty of the skill make it uncertain whether Lee will attempt it with a medal on the line at the Olympics. However, if successful, the move would cement Lee’s legacy in the sport and leave an indelible mark on women’s uneven bars gymnastics.
The last innovation on the Jaeger base was made 18 years ago, showing the rarity and difficulty of introducing new skills in gymnastics. Lee’s dedication to perfecting the full-twisting Jaeger demonstrates her commitment to pushing the boundaries of the sport and achieving new heights in her gymnastics career.
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