Gymnast Nia Dennis Goes Viral for Her ‘Black Excellence’ Gymnastics Routine
On January 24, Nia Dennis performed a phenomenal “Black Excellence” floor routine for UCLA Gymnastics at a competition against Arizona State.
Dennis is a gymnast and senior at the University of California, Los Angeles. The routine and performance celebrated Black culture by featuring prominent Black icons and artists like Kendrick Lamar, Soulja Boy, and Tupac Shakur. Dennis’s score of 9.950 aided the UCLA team in winning the competition. In the end, Dennis’s gymnastics team ended with a 196.150-195.950.
This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia does it again! 🔥
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) January 24, 2021
📹 @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/2vxgyTvUCG
When asked about the inspiration and meanings behind her routine, Dennis revealed to Los Angeles Daily News: “This routine definitely reflects everything that I am today as a woman and of course I had to incorporate a lot of parts of my culture.”
The video of her performance went viral on social media and many celebrities praised her talent, such as the decorated American gymnast Simone Biles who retweeted and said, “Do the damn thing girl. This was so fun to watch! Keep killing it!”
This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia does it again! 🔥
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) January 24, 2021
📹 @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/2vxgyTvUCG
However, this is not Dennis’s first time rising to fame for a gymnastics routine and, by the looks of it, certainly won’t be her last. Last year, Dennis became an internet sensation for a routine inspired by Beyonce and was even congratulated by Alicia Keys and Vice President Kamala Harris.
all of these incredible people i drew inspiration from, looked up to, & idolized literally know MY name. 🤯this is insane i couldn’t be more grateful.💕 truly, thank you for all the love !
— Nianation💎 (@DennisNia) January 26, 2021
With Dennis full of energy and a supportive crowd cheering her on, she went out on the floor and danced her heart out, while having fun doing so. The video has 9.1 million views and is continually increasing. In her USA Gymnastics team Bio, Dennis reveals her next big goal to be gold, the gold Olympic Medal that is, and we can surely see her on her way to it.
Writer | Tweet me @sapnaamin7
