UCLA Gymnast Chae Campbell Eats Wakanda-Inspired Gymnastics Floor Routine

UCLA gymnast Chae Campbell performs a Black Panther-inspired floor routine at a preseason meet.

A UCLA gymnast is paying homage to Marvel’s Black Panther. Chae Campbell’s floor routine, inspired by the mythical country of Wakanda within the film, is an instance of Black excellence in the sport.

Campbell performed the routine at UCLA’s “Meet The Bruins” showcase of its renowned gymnastics program as it prepare for next year’s upcoming competition season. According to USA Today, the college senior is an all-star in her own right, being featured as the 2021 PAC-12 floor exercise co-champion and a designated All-American athlete. High-level performance is not new to Campbell, having received 10s on her floor routines twice before in 2022.

UCLA Gymnastics posted the entire routine on its social media. Campbell was also featured in the tribute performance wearing a leotard fit for a Wakandan, wearing the movie’s signature colors and design.

“Inspired by the movie Black Panther, Chae Campbell’s senior year floor routine is simply Marvel-ous,” captioned the team.

Campbell also shared behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the leotard. The leotard was designed by Sylvia Dancewear, a company that also helped a fellow UCLA gymnast, Nya Reed, pay tribute to her sorority through her costume. Reed wore a custom design that boasted the letters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“A little behind-the-scenes look at our MTB Leo reveals,” explained Campbell in the caption. “Thank you, @sylviapteamwear, for bringing my vision to life with this beautiful Leo. It captures everything that Black Panther represents: Power and elegance!”

Campbell is already a star on the rise, being included in Pac-12 women’s gymnastics 2024 Preseason Watch List. With her creativity and skillset already apparent on the floor, More eyes are sure to be on Campbell’s own power and elegance as she makes her final year debut for the UCLA gymnastics upcoming season, which begins on Jan. 12.

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