"An Olympic champion who never stopped fighting"- Fans react as Suni Lee ESPY best comeback athlete award

Suni Lee won the award for the 'best comeback athlete of the year' at the ESPYs 2025. The American gymnast expressed her elation on receiving the award and expressed that it was a dream come true for her.

Lee competed in the Paris Olympics after undergoing multiple struggles, which included overcoming a rare kidney disease. The 22-year-old concluded her NCAA career early back in 2023 due to her recurring health issues and also skipped the selection camp for the Pan American Games and the World Championships 2023.

The American gymnast made her recovery and slowely returned to the mat for the Paris Olympics. Despite struggles in her early appearances during the 2024 season, Suni Lee remained optimistic and eventually qualified for the US Olympic team for the Paris Olympics. Lee concluded her Paris Olympics campaign with two gold medals (all-around and team).

Her comeback received great praise from fans and she was awarded the ESPY award for the ' best comeback athlete of the year'. Fans expressed their thoughts on social media about Suni Lee winning the honor.

"An Olympic champion who never stopped fighting. Grace, grit, and gold all over again," wrote a fan.

Expand Tweet

"Her gold medal win in Tokyo feels like a distant memory now, overshadowed by the dramatic narrative of her resilience !!!" another fan chimed in.

Expand Tweet

"She really came back swinging—gold medalist energy only! 🥇🔥 " tweeted another fan.

Expand Tweet

Here are some more fan reactions:

"Well deserved! Suni’s resilience and comeback story is pure gold, on and off the mat!" another fan chimed in.

"She had such a positive spirit and fought against her kidney disorder. She is amazing," tweeted another fan.

"🏅 What an inspiring journey for Suni Lee! From overcoming challenges to clinching Olympic gold, her resilience and determination have redefined what it means to be a comeback athlete. ⭐ Her story reminds us that setbacks can lead to the most spectacular comebacks!" wrote a fan.

This is a developing article and will be updated soon.

About the author

Adityan is a journalist and Content Manager for US Olympics Sports at Sportskeeda. He is a professional track & field athlete who competes in the 400m and 800m. This decade-long experience has taught him a lot about sports psychology, mindset, and passion, which he incorporates through his work to get the best outcome.

To make sure the content he delivers is genuine, Adityan keeps a tab on the official websites and the official social media channels of athletes and organizations. Before putting any information out in the public domain, he looks at the content from a fan’s perspective to connect with the readers as much as possible.

With a knack for crafting compelling narratives and insightful analysis, Adityan seamlessly blends his expertise in sports with his talent for storytelling, captivating readers and enthusiasts alike.

He has followed Usain Bolt's career very closely, and for him, the Jamaican defending his 100m gold in Rio is the greatest Olympic achievement of all time. Adityan indulges in traveling, trekking, off-roading, and hiking when not occupied with work.

Know More

Edited by Adityan Pillai