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The routine earned the 21-year-oldUCLAsenior a score of 9.95basicallya perfect 10clinching the win for UCLA over Arizona State.
Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images
And, with over 8.5 million views onTwitter, Dennis’s performance has officially gone viral.
(If you haven’t seen it, check it out on theUCLA AthleticsYouTube channel immediately.)
As theUCLA GymnasticsTwitter account puts it, This is what #blackexcellence looks like.
THANK YOU SO MUCH).
AndQueer Eye’sKaramo Browncalled Dennis a star."
For anyone who’s notalreadya Dennis diehard, here’s a little more on who this star gymnast is.
Dennis’s routine reflects a few different parts of her identity.
And of course I had to incorporate a lot of parts of my culture."
The gymnast explained how a couple of elements in the routine represented different aspects of her background.
I wanted to give a tribute to my father," she explained.
Of course I had to shout out LA because we out here, UCLA, Dennis said.
(Her currentTwitterbanner is a photo of the West Coast hip-hop icon.)
This isn’t her first routine to go viralher birthday routine last year did too.
You might remember Dennis from her first routine that made the internet go wild.
In February 2020,Dennisnailed a routine set to a Beyonce medley, including hits like Crazy in Love.
She also won heaps of admiration from some big names, likeSteve HarveyandEllen DeGeneres.
The routine struckAlicia Keys, who tweeted at the time, Look at this unstoppable power and confidence!!
Was just talking about how nothing gives you more power then being yourself!
Shine @DennisNia, I’m inspired!!"
Now Vice PresidentKamala Harrisalso commended the gymnast.
@DennisNia is ending#BlackHistoryMonththe right wayby showcasing her Black excellence,Harriswrote on Twitter.
Beyonce herself would be proud.
Gabrielle Unionput it more succinctly onTwitter: REPRESENT!!!!!!!
Floor isnt the only event Dennis dominates.
Did we mention that Dennis also won first place on the vault this weekend?
Check out that short but sweet victory onYouTube.
Dennis’sUCLAbio says the vault is her favorite apparatus.
Thats not to say she struggles in other categories, thoughDennis is an extremely well-rounded gymnast.
The gymnast scores high on the bars too.
In 2019, Nia was first-team All-American on uneven bars, per herUCLAbio.
She also earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors on bars in 2019 and vault in 2018.
She loves the energy of rocking out on the floor.
Dennis’s floor work showcases the fact that she is an amazing dancer.
Its been really amazing," Dennis said during an episode ofBruin Banter.
That zeal for dance is also part of what makes Dennis so fun to watch.
I love the energy; we love a floor party, Dennis said.
She recently had shoulder surgery.
Dennis had a long-termshoulderinjury corrected in 2020.
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Her biggest inspiration is her little sister.
She loves me, adores me, looks up to me, Dennis said.
So I love her."
Shes been a gymnast since 2006.
They suggested that I get started in gymnastics.
Since then shes racked up the honors, both nationally and internationally.
She also competed in the Womens Junior Olympic National Championships in 2017, per herUSA Gymnasticsbio.
We’re excited to see what Dennis does next.
Peep herTikTokfor more amazing dance movesyou never know if theyll show up in one her next floor routines!
