Sunisa Lee

Sunisa "Suni" Lee burst onto the international gymnastics scene, not just with her incredible skill, but with the weight of an entire community on her shoulders. As the first Hmong-American to compete for the U.S. Olympic team, and then to win gold in the all-around competition, she did more than just stick her landings; she landed in the history books. All of this, naturally, makes one wonder if perhaps, just perhaps, there's a bit of Kvelling to be had.

Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Lee's family hails from Laos, making her lineage distinctly Hmong-American. Despite thorough investigation, no credible sources suggest any connection to the Chosen People, either through ancestry or religious practice. Her identity is firmly rooted in her Hmong heritage and, presumably, the pursuit of gravity-defying feats.

While we'd love to claim her as one of our own — after all, who wouldn't want a gold medalist on the family tree? — Sunisa Lee remains staunchly Hmong. Her achievements, however, are undeniably impressive, bringing immense pride to her family and community. That's a Kvell score of 4, because winning Olympic gold is universally impressive, even if it's not for the Jews.