After a terrifying fall, Red Panda retraces what went wrong and the support that carried her back

At a recent Miami men’s basketball game, Rong Niu’s pink sequined dress captured the attention of fans as she performed her signature halftime routine. Known professionally as “Red Panda,” Niu completed her seven-minute performance to chants from the crowd, acknowledging their support with a smile before dismounting her unicycle.

The scene has become familiar for Niu, who has been a staple of basketball halftime entertainment since her first performance at a Los Angeles Clippers game in 1993. Fans, security personnel, and even the Miami Hurricanes’ dance team members lined up for photos, captivated by her remarkable skill.

“I feel so much support,” Niu said after her performance at Miami’s home game against Stanford. “It’s beyond support—I don’t know. I don’t have a better word to describe that feeling. That was beyond appreciation.”

Niu’s journey as a performance artist began in China’s Shanxi province when she was just seven years old. Her father, recognizing her natural talent, helped her develop the skill of balancing bowls and bricks on her head. This early training laid the foundation for the act that would later make her famous across American sports arenas.

Her current performance features a custom-built unicycle standing approximately eight feet tall. While balanced precariously atop this towering cycle, she flips custom-made bowls from her lower leg directly onto her head with remarkable precision—a feat that consistently leaves audiences in awe.

However, Niu’s career took a frightening turn during the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup final between the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx last July. Just one minute into her halftime performance, she fell from her unicycle and crashed to the court. After remaining down for several minutes, she was eventually removed by wheelchair.

“I now realize I was disoriented. It was not just pain right here,” Niu explained, pointing to her left wrist, which was later diagnosed as broken. “I wasn’t very clear because of the impact. They said, ‘Can you walk?’ I said, ‘Yes,’ and then I tried to stand up and walk. And then, I think I was passing out.”

Niu spent 11 hours in a Minneapolis hospital, with Minnesota Lynx staff members remaining by her side throughout her ordeal. As she recovered, she pondered what could have gone wrong during a routine she had performed countless times.

Upon returning to the arena after her hospital release, Niu inspected her unicycle and discovered a slightly bent pedal. She believes the damage occurred during transit, either during security checks or on the airplane.

“Normally I would set up the unicycle. I will test it,” she demonstrated, showing her typical equipment inspection process. “I test like this. I test it. But I didn’t test the pedal.”

The accident required surgery and approximately four months of recovery. During this time, Niu received an outpouring of support from fans and athletes alike, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. The encouragement came through social media messages, cards, and gifts.

Niu made her return to performing on October 23 for an Amazon Prime event, followed by her NBA comeback on November 1 during a game between the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers. Despite her successful return, she acknowledges that the psychological impact of the fall lingers.

“I still have the thoughts,” she admitted. “I still have the thoughts when I start pedaling.”

What makes her story particularly compelling is the unwavering support from basketball fans, who regularly forego halftime breaks to witness her performance. This devotion has become a powerful motivator for Niu.

“I want to show that I can do this,” she said. “But when I couldn’t do it, they still chanted for me. I feel I owe them something. I feel very appreciative. I don’t have the best words to describe that feeling, but it’s a lot of support. It goes in my heart.”

Niu’s story represents not only the physical demands placed on halftime performers but also highlights the special relationship that can develop between entertainers and sports fans—a connection that transcends the game itself and creates lasting cultural touchpoints in American sports venues.