US Volleyball Star Back For 3rd Olympics After Giving Birth
Jul 22, 2021, 12:30 PM
Foluke Akinradewo #16 celebrates after defeating Japan in the FIVB Women's World Championship 5th place match between Japan and USA at Yokohama Arena on October 19, 2018 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
(Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)
TOKYO (AP) — A third trip to the Olympics was far from a sure thing for U.S. volleyball star Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson when she gave birth to her son in November 2019.
A challenging pregnancy that robbed her of most of her core strength left her questioning whether she could get back to her usual elite level.
Starters for the U.S. Women 🇺🇸 vs Belgium 🇧🇪, Jordyn Poulter, Jordan Larson, Jordan Thompson, Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson, Chiaka Ogbogu, Kelsey Robinson and Justine Wong Orantes!
Watch #VNL2021 LIVE on https://t.co/RDZsh6ecnu 🖥 pic.twitter.com/oNMg6GTsMi
— USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) June 12, 2021
But Gunderson had set a goal of being both a mother and professional athlete.
She took advantage of the coronavirus-delayed Olympics to make it back this year in search of that elusive gold medal.
Could a crossword puzzle be @TeamUSA's secret weapon to win volleyball gold at @Tokyo2020? 🏐🇺🇸
Veterans Kim Hill and Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson are leading the charge. 💪@fakinradewo | @volleyballworld | @usavolleyball
— Olympics (@Olympics) June 12, 2021
Gunderson helped the U.S. earn bronze with a win over the Netherlands at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
