Rong Niu, better known as Red Panda, has released a statement following a frightening fall during her halftime performance at Tuesday night’s WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The iconic unicycle performer took a hard spill less than a minute into her act between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx, sending shockwaves through fans in attendance and viewers at home.
“Thank you very much to all NBA, WNBA, Universities, media individuals and her ever supporting fans for your kindness and concern,” Red Panda’s team shared in a statement, per ESPN’s Pat McAfee. “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. She was at the hospital for 11 hours last night. Hilton and Greta, from Minnesota Lynx, stayed with her at the hospital the entire night for her procedure. She 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.”
Red Panda’s statement continued with a message of gratitude. “Red Panda, wants me to Thank all of you for the kind wishes and support,” the statement read. “It means the world to her. She much appreciates from her heart the support she is receiving. We’ll keep you all posted.”
The 53-year-old has been dazzling audiences with her unicycle balancing acts for decades, becoming a staple of halftime shows across the NBA and WNBA.
Best wishes continue to pour in for the halftime legend as she begins her road to recovery.