Latest news with #ErikShoji
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U.S. volleyball star Erik Shoji comes out as queer
Erik Shoji has spent a decade spiking balls on the world's biggest stages for the US men's volleyball team, and now he's sharing something even more personal. In a video posted to both his Instagram and TikTok pages, the 35-year-old libero sat beside his snoozing labradoodle and said plainly, 'I'm here to tell the world today that I am queer.' Advertisement Shoji admitted the moment felt 'scary, but freeing at the same time,' noting that self-acceptance took longer than he expected. 'I'm stronger, more confident, and more sure of myself than I've ever been,' he added, eyes shining. 'Given who I am and the platform that I have, this is my moment, and I'm so excited to move forward after this.' The Hawai'i native has captained the U.S. men's national team since 2025, but has racked up Olympic bronze medals in Rio 2016 and Paris 2024, plus two FIVB World Cup golds. Off-court, he's a TikTok influencer known for wholesome roommate bits and behind-the-scenes vlogs from pro stints in Germany, Russia, Italy, and, most recently, Poland's powerhouse ZAKSA. Support for his announcement poured in within minutes. USA Volleyball commented, 'Proud of you, Erik… we're honored to stand with you, always.' Fellow Olympian Merrick McHenry, himself an out gay athlete, wrote, 'Thank you for being you!' Volleyball Nations League, Mizuno, and a roster of international stars echoed the love. Outside of McHenry, Shoji also joins the ranks of Kyle Friend, Tim Brewster, and Justin Lui as one of the out professional gay volleyball players. Advertisement Shoji hopes the news shows younger players they can thrive without hiding. 'Moving forward means feeling completely free and myself,' he said. 'I want my life to feel like I have one life, and saying this brings it all together.' That next chapter starts on June 25, when the U.S. hosts China in Chicago's VNL leg, Shoji's first match since coming out. Expect the crowd to roar a little louder when No. 22 jogs onto the court as a world-class defender, now playing wide open.
GMA Network
20 hours ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
USA Volleyball's Erik Shoji comes out as queer
USA Volleyball team captain and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Erik Shoji last Saturday came out as queer. According to the UN Girls' Education Initiative website, ''queer' is an umbrella term that is commonly used to refer to or describe people who are not heterosexual or are not cisgender. Further, 'queer' is also used to refer to approaches that oppose heteronormative ways of thinking and being.' In a video on Shoji's social media account, the libero said it took a long time before the Hawaii native accepted it. 'I am here to tell the world today that I am queer. It feels scary but freeing at the same time,' Shoji said. 'I think personal acceptance takes a while. For me, it took a long time and I'm working through that still every day, but I think I'm stronger, more confident, and more sure of myself than I've ever been, and I feel that given who I am and the platform that I have that this is my moment and I'm so excited to move forward after this.' Shoji said that by coming out, the three-time Olympian hopes to be a role model and is now more excited to know 'where life is going to take me and who I am and what I can bring to my family, my team, my friends, and those around me.' The libero also hopes to 'inspire people to be themselves and to be personable, be kind, be nice, and to love life.' 'Part of me hopes that the world keeps spinning, the volleyball community stays amazing and accepting and growing. I feel so good saying what I'm saying and I know that I'm genuine in what I'm saying and I believe in myself and I believe in others and I believe that life will keep going and it'll be great and my friends will be there, my family will be there, my team will be there, and I'm gonna continue to be myself and I'm so excited for that.' USA Volleyball's social media account, meanwhile, said it is proud of Shoji. "Proud of you, Erik. Your courage, authenticity, and leadership on and off the court continues to inspire us all! Thank you for being you. We're honored to stand with you, always." —JKC, GMA Integrated News
