Latest news with #Niu
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Red Panda fractured wrist in scary fall at WNBA Commissioner's Cup final
More information has emerged about the scary fall Rong Niu, better known as Red Panda, took during Tuesday night's WNBA Commissioner's Cup final. In a statement shared by Niu's team to ESPN's Pat McAfee, her injury was revealed as a wrist fracture. 'Last night at Lynx/Fever she took a fall at the very beginning of the show, due to [the] left paddle of her unicycle [being] damaged during transit, her left wrist was severely fractured at the same spot for the 2nd time.' the statement read Advertisement Red Panda during her performance on July 1, 2025. WNBA The left wrist fracture forced Niu to stay in the hospital for 11 hours, where she had a procedure on it, according to the statement. The performer was finally sent home, but with the advice to undergo a second procedure on her wrist with an orthopedic surgeon. Advertisement Niu expressed gratitude for fans' support and thanked them for their assistance during a difficult time. 'Thank you very much to all NBA, WNBA, Universities, media individuals, and her ever supporting fans for your kindness and concern,' the statement read. Red Panda fell during her performance on July 1, 2025. WNBA The fall happened during her halftime performance in the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final with the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever and Red Panda needed the help of a wheelchair. The game was delayed for some time as the arena crew had to fix a dent in the court. Advertisement The Red Panda has been performing these acts since the 1990s and has reached the semifinals of 'Britain's Got Talent.'
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Red Panda health update: Popular halftime performer 'severely fractured' wrist in fall
Unicyclist Red Panda, a popular halftime performer known for juggling ceramic dishes on her head and feet while riding a 7-foot unicycle, has provided a health update after suffering a scary fall at the 2025 WNBA Commissioner's Cup on Tuesday, July 1. In a statement provided to ESPN personality Pat McAfee on Wednesday, Red Panda, whose real name is Rong Niu, revealed that she "severely fractured" her left wrist after falling off her damaged unicycle during her halftime performance of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup final, where the Indiana Fever defeated the Minnesota Lynx at Minneapolis' Target Center on Tuesday. Niu broke the same wrist in 2013. "She took a fall at the very beginning of the show," Niu's team said to McAfee. "Her left wrist was severely fractured at the same spot for the 2nd time. She was at the hospital for 11 hours last night." Niu's team said the fall was caused by her faulty unicycle, saying, "the left (pedal) of her unicycle was damaged during transit." Niu has performed countless halftime shows at NBA and WNBA games, dating to 1993 and had performed during Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. Shortly after beginning her performance at the WNBA game and letting go of a ladder she used to get on her unicycle, Niu fell off it and crashed to the floor. She instantly clutched her wrist on the floor and was attended to by medical professionals before being wheeled off in a wheelchair. "(Niu) is very grateful. She is on her way home now and the doctors in Minneapolis have recommended that as soon as she gets home, she meet with an orthopedic surgeon for the 2nd part of repair," the statement added. "Thank all of you for the kind wishes and support, it means the world to her. She much appreciates from her heart the support she is receiving. We'll keep you all posted.' Following the injury, Niu received an outpouring of support and get-well-soon messages. Caitlin Clark gave Niu a shoutout in an Instagram Live video posted by Sydney Colson as the Fever celebrated their Commissioner's Cup win over the Lynx. "Red Panda, we love you," Clark said. Niu appeared on Season 8 of "America's Got Talent" in 2013 and advanced to the quarterfinals before withdrawing for personal reasons. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Red Panda's team provides an update on her condition after WNBA Commissioner's Cup fall
After falling from her unicycle during a halftime performance at Tuesday night's WNBA Commissioner's Cup final in Minneapolis, Rong "Krystal" Niu, better known by her stage name as Red Panda, thanked her supporters and well-wishers for her recovery. In a statement to ESPN's Pat McAfee, Niu's team shared that she suffered a "severely fractured" wrist during the fall. "She is on her way home now," the statement read, "and the Doctors in Minneapolis have recommended that as soon as she gets home, she meet with an orthopedic surgeon for the 2nd part of repair. "[Niu] wants me to Thank all of you for the kind wishes and support," the statement continued. "It means the world to her. She much appreciates from her heart the support she is receiving. We'll keep you all posted." The full statement is below. Hopefully, Red Panda heals up well and can return to her halftime performances sooner than later.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved Halftime Performer Red Panda Taken to Hospital After Falling Off Unicycle at WNBA Game
NEED TO KNOW Red Panda took a spill The iconic halftime performer fell off her unicycle during her act on Tuesday night at the Commissioner's Cup game WNBA players, including Caitlin Clark, took time to send the performer their well-wishes. Iconic halftime act Red Panda fell off her unicycle during a performance on Tuesday night at the WNBA Commissioner's Cup game. The performer, whose real name is Rong Niu, left the court in a wheelchair and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, league officials told ESPN. Advertisement In a video of the moment, Niu was balancing on her bike when she pitched forward slightly and lost her balance. She tumbled to the hardcourt and then grabbed her wrist. An update on her condition was not immediately available on Wednesday morning. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Known for a mesmerizing unicycle routine that involves balancing bowls and flipping them onto her head, Niu has captivated audiences at college, NBA and WNBA games for years. She previously performed during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City last month. Advertisement Born into a family of acrobats, Niu has been honing her craft since the age of 7, according to Sports Illustrated. Dylan Buell/Getty Red Panda Red Panda In 2018, the performer made headlines after her custom-built unicycle was stolen at the San Francisco International Airport baggage claim, ESPN reported at the time. The Golden State Warriors later paid to replace her bike. On Tuesday, as word spread about her scary fall, members of the Indiana Fever took time to acknowledge her as they celebrated their win over the Minnesota Lynx. In an Instagram live video, Fever phenom Caitlin Clark — who sat out her third consecutive game with a groin injury — gave her a shout-out. Advertisement 'Red Panda, we love you!' the WNBA All-Star said. Read the original article on People
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Who is Red Panda? Meet the legendary halftime performer
Red Panda has become one of the best halftime show attractions in the world, bringing her awesome brand of acrobatics to NBA, WNBA and college basketball courts for years. She also made it pretty far on America's Got Talent, proving what she does is universally beloved. And now, with the performer getting injured -- wishing her a speedy and full recovery! -- we wanted to give Red Panda her well-deserved flowers, especially for those of you who don't know much about her. So let's dive in and help you get to know the woman known as Red Panda, who is an absolute legend! Who is Red Panda? Her real name is Rong Niu. She's the daughter of two Chinese acrobats, and her act is simple but wonderful: she gets on a unicycle and catches bowls on her head. On one occasion, she's had her unicycle stolen, though the Golden State Warriors offered to buy her a new one. How did Red Panda get injured? She fell off her unicycle at the Fever and Lynx game, something that's happened to her before in rare instances. How did Red Panda get her start? From Sports Illustrated in 2019: Red Panda's act forged forward. After collecting video from spectators, she spotted filming her performances, Niu delivered the clips to a professional editor, who cut a seven-minute highlight reel of GuiZhang's star. She ordered 1,000 copies, then stuffed the VHS tape and business cards into envelopes, blasting agents and venues across the map. Only her phone hardly rang. Neither Circus Circus nor Cirque du Soleil called. Finally, after one year, a talent agent named Reynold Clark dialed Niu the day before Thanksgiving 1993. One of his acts had sustained an injury, and the Clippers needed an immediate replacement for halftime the following evening. Within hours she jetted to Los Angeles. From there, she gained fame at various basketball arenas for years. Has Red Panda gotten injured before? Yes. This isn't just an easy act. She's broken her arm before. How did Red Panda do on America's Got Talent? She made it to the semifinals in Season 8 back in 2013 eventually as a Wild Card after withdrawing from the show to take care of her father, who had cancer.
