MENASHA, Wis. — With fluid movements, Asha LyBoualong navigated the balance beam with a smooth landing.

Just hours after Suni Lee scored a gold medal for the Women’s U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Team, LyBoualong was working on her skills and form at Ultimate Fusion Athletics in Menasha.

But Lee — a Hmong-American from Minnesota —  wasn’t far from her mind.

What You Need To Know

  • Sunisa Lee won a gold medal in gymnastic at the Olympics Thursday

  • Her win and place on the U.S. team are an inspiration to Hmong-Americas

  • Gymnastics has become increasingly diverse in recent years​

 

“Being Hmong-American as well, I think its really inspiring to know there are people out there,” LyBoualong said. “She’s representing the whole world of Hmong people. I think that’s really cool.”

It also opens a world of possibilities.

“It makes me feel like I can get there someday too, and that’s really nice,” LyBoualong said.“It makes me feel like I can get there someday too, and that’s really nice,” LyBoualong said.

Ultimate Fusion Athletics owner Mikal Ramadan said Lee’s success helps highlight diversity in the sport.

“It’s good for our program because it brings more diversity,” he said. “Over the years I’ve seen a lot of diversity happen and it’s been really neat and a blessing.”

LyBoualong, who lives in Kaukauna, has more immediate goals than a gold medal at the Olympics.

“I just want to keep having fun and see where I get,” she said.

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