Friday is 'Sunisa Lee Day' In Minnesota

ACROSS MINNESOTA — Friday is "Sunisa Lee Day" in Minnesota, thanks to an offical proclamation signed by Gov. Tim Walz. Lee, 18, of St. Paul won gold in the women's gymnastic all-around competition Thursday in Tokyo.

"Today is officially Sunisa Lee Day in Minnesota, in celebration of @sunisalee_ , who has etched her name among legendary USA Olympians," the governor tweeted.

"Your home state and your family are so proud of you."

Lee stepped up for Team USA in Tokyo after Simone Biles withdrew from the competition. Biles took herself out of the event in order to focus on her mental health.

Lee, the first Hmong American to make the U.S. Olympic team, just edged out Brazil's Rebeca Andrade and Russia's Angelika Melnikova for the top prize:

1. Lee: 57.433
2. Andrade: 57.298
3. Melnikova: 57.199

Fellow American gymnast Jade Carey, who took Biles' place, came in 8th place Thursday.

Lee graduated from South Saint Paul Secondary this spring. She is headed to the University of Auburn in the fall, according to the USA Gymnastics website.

Lee's win makes it five consecutive Olympic golds for Americans in the all-around competition.

Rewatch Lee's entire gold medal performance here.

Also read: PHOTOS: See Sunisa Lee's Olympic Gold Medal Performance