UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis got a near-perfect score and two first-place performances in floor and vault that helped secure the team's season-opening win against Arizona State.
But the internet was astounded when a video of Dennis' floor routine made it to Twitter, giving people a glimpse at how the gymnast used an innovative fusion of rap classics to get a 9.950, one of the highest scores of the day.
This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia does it again! ????
???? @Pac12Network
pic.twitter.com/2vxgyTvUCG— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) January 24, 2021
Dennis managed to meld her incredible gymnastic skills with a mix featuring hits from Beyoncé, 2Pac, Missy Elliott, Megan Thee Stallion and Soulja Boy.
According to Los Angeles Daily News, Dennis incorporated stepping into her routine in honor of her father, who was in a fraternity. Her mix included “California Love” from 2Pac, Soulja Boy's "Crank That" and other classics.
“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. I wanted to have a dance party because that’s my personality and of course I had to shout out L.A. because we out here, UCLA,” Dennis told the newspaper.
Dennis also went on to dominate the vault competition with a 9.90 score, the best of the day.
The UCLA senior is majoring in sociology and according to UCLA's website plans to become a physical therapist.
This is not the first time Dennis has gone viral. As Blavity previously reported, she had the internet gagging last February when she performed a flawless floor routine to Beyoncé's Homecoming.
A homecoming performance that would make @Beyonce proud! @DennisNia made us lose our breath with her 9.975 on floor exercise last weekend in Pauley.
Who else is crazy in love with her routine? ???? pic.twitter.com/XE4VvTrZOK
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) February 28, 2020
That routine led to widespread acclaim and she even appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to talk about her newfound fame.
Dennis' routine this time around even got a shoutout on Twitter from gymnastics legend Simone Biles.
okay @DennisNia do the damn thing girl ???? this was so fun to watch! keep killing it! https://t.co/eDntwMpC4R
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 24, 2021
"okay @DennisNia do the damn thing girl Fire this was so fun to watch! keep killing it!" Biles wrote.