The BYU Cougars gymnast Rebekah Ripley took to the mat at the Super 16 college meet in Las Vegas.
This is her first performance since suffering an ACL tear in 2019, so that explains that huge knee brace.
But that won’t stop her from grabbing the spotlight and impressing her audience.
Ripley may have been inspired by the recent “Barbie” trailer starring Margot Robbie, since her comeback routine was set to a 1997 classic, “Barbie Girl” by Aqua.
A song that once annoyed many of us, but today serves as a hit of nostalgia.
Admit it!
She kicks kicking off her routine with an upbeat medley, a cover of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and “Get Ready” by The Temptations blaring over the speakers.
Then Ripley transforms into a life-size doll.
That smile glued to her face looks lovely as the gymnast began to rigidly move her arms and legs all in unison with the squeaking sounds coming from the music.
She really can move like Barbie!
The brave athlete then performs a running front flip and stuck the landing, knee brace and all!
No doubts in her mind there.
Ripley then springs across the mat, executing handstands, back handsprings, and complex flips that looks too good to be true.
She even nails a perfect side split, waving her hands at the camera while shimmying her hips like the plastic doll.
The song has always been cheeky, so the gymnast took advantage, popping her glutes in time with the music.
That ACL brace isn’t slowing her down one bit!
Ripley wanted her routine to be fun all while showing off her skills following her injury.
“This past weekend was my first time officially back in a lineup and competing since my first ACL tear back in 2019,” Ripley posted on Instagram.
“Words cannot describe how grateful and blessed I feel. I feel so overwhelmed with love and support from so many people it brings me to tears.
Years of hard work is finally paying off and it makes me so happy. I’m so excited for the rest of this season and for the opportunity to represent BYU Gymnastics. Go cougs.”
And she deserves all of it!
She also had this to say,
“That first competition, I was so nervous; I hadn’t competed on floor since 2019 — it’s been years.
Luckily, I was on my feet, but my tumbling passes weren’t as good as they were in practice, and everything was just a little bit off. But I was pleasantly surprised that so many people liked it.
She continued, “Now I just want people to watch it when I really hit it. Then you can share it.”
It is amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it!
Ripley has unbelievable strength if you watch closely how she controls her limbs from loose to stiff.
She is so much fun to watch!
Now it’s your turn to listen to “Barbie Girl” with a smile on your face.
Hit play below for this gymnast’s now viral performance!
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