Sunisa Lee, the defending Olympic all-around gold medalist and uneven bars bronze medalist, is preparing to attempt a new skill at the 2024 Paris Games. The skill, known as a full-twisting Jaeger, would be the first move named after her in gymnastics’ Code of Points if successfully performed at the competition.
The full-twisting Jaeger is a challenging element in women’s uneven bars, with a difficulty level potentially reaching H. Named after Bernd Jäger, this family of moves involves a 360-degree swing with a front flip and catch on the high bar. Sunisa Lee’s version, which adds a full twist, was inspired by the Cappuccitti created by Stephanie Cappuccitti.
Unlike most gymnasts who innovate on the Tkatchev skill, Lee chose to create a new Jaeger variation. Her decision diverges from the trend of developing new Tkatchev variants, with six introduced in the past four years. Lee’s bold move comes after a challenging year battling a kidney disease that affected her ability to compete.
While Lee attempted the new skill at the Winter Cup in February but missed it, the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris will provide another opportunity for her to showcase the move. With the potential to have the skill named after her, Lee has the chance to make a lasting impact on the sport of gymnastics.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com