Sunisa Lee training difficult new skill that could soon bear her name

There’s something about Olympic all-around champions and innovation.

Seven-time Olympic medalist and 2016 Olympic all-around champion Simone Biles has five eponymous skills named after her in the Code of Points, and soon, three-time Olympic medalist and 2020 Olympic all-around champion Sunisa Lee may have one of her own.

On Tuesday, Lee posted a series of videos – four in total – of her training the same skill: a full-twisting Jaeger.

A Jaeger is when a gymnast swings backward in reverse grip and performs a front somersault. In this case, that somersault is in the layout position with an added full twist.

The skill is not yet in the Code of Points and would therefore be ‘The Lee’ if the 20-year-old were to successfully compete it at a major, FIG-sanctioned international event, including world cups, continental championships, or the Olympic Games, which are set for July 26 – August 11.

Lee’s latest reveal comes after she’s shared multiple training clips recently, including a roundoff layout step-out to back handspring to back handspring mount series on beam and a one-and-a-half pirouette on bars.

Training videos aside, there is still the question of Lee’s health. She has been battling an ongoing kidney-related health issue since early last year. After announcing in November of 2022 that her sophomore season with Auburn would be her last, the issue forced Lee to conclude her college career with the Tigers in early March instead of April. When she returned to elite for the first time since the Tokyo Games, at the Core Hydration Classic in August, she only competed vault and beam, finishing second on the latter. Lee also competed on the two apparatus at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships later that month but ultimately declined an invitation to world team selection camp.

Lee’s 2024 competition plans have not been announced yet, but the U.S. elite season kicks off in late February with the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky. Other key meets on the road to Paris include the Classic, U.S. Championships, and Olympic Trials – all taking place from mid-May to end of June.