2020 Tokyo Olympics: Asian American Trailblazers to Watch

With sweaty palms and a racing heart, the Olympic lighter takes the fiery torch and runs to the Olympic cauldron. The sounds of a cheering crowd echo through the stadium as the flame is tilted into the pot, igniting a blazing fire and brightening the starry night sky— signaling the start of the Olympics!

Every four years, people from all across the world come together to marvel at the most skilled athletes competing in various sporting events. This year, fans are especially looking forward to the games, as they were postponed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As the start of the Olympics approaches, the US has begun to form its national team with the highest-ranking athletes competing in the US Olympic Trials. At this year’s trials, three Asian American athletes stood out for their impressive performances: Yul Moldauer, Sunisa Lee, and Jordan Pisey Windle.

Korean American Yul Moldauer is a favorite at this year’s Men’s Gymnastics competition. Born in Seoul, Moldauer quickly found a passion for gymnastics after moving to Colorado; by his senior year in high school, Moldauer had already won the junior title on Pommel Horse at the US National Championships and a gold medal at the Junior Olympics. He furthered his career at the University of Oklahoma, where he won the NCAA all-around title as a freshman. This year, Moldauer made his mark again by qualifying for the men’s Olympic gymnastics team.

Growing up, Moldauer faced racist jokes from his peers at school and was mocked because of his Asian heritage. Today, he uses his platform to spread awareness for the Asian American community. Especially during times of anti-Asian hate, Moldauer stands as a strong voice for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).

Sunisa Lee made history as the first Hmong American to make the US women’s national gymnastics team. Of course, this wasn’t her first accomplishment. At age fifteen, she had already made her international debut at the Gymnix International World Cup. Since then, she has won titles at major events such as the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Competition and the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup.

Earlier this year, Sunisa Lee beat renowned gymnast Simone Biles in a one-day all-around competition, becoming the first gymnast to beat Biles at the competition since 2013. Despite being fresh out of high school, she is already laying down the foundation for the Hmong community to step up into a world of success in gymnastics.

Jordan Windle started diving at only seven years old after Evan Linette noticed his potential and took him under his wing. Soon after, he enrolled in the Fort Lauderdale diving program and quickly rose to the top, leading to many great accomplishments. Throughout his career, he won countless titles, including the Junior Pan American championship title and the US senior title. Not to mention, Windle was also a 2020 World Cup member and even won the NCAA title for The University of Texas. He is now the first person of Cambodian descent to qualify for the Olympic diving team.

As these athletes take their place on the Olympic stage, young Asian Americans will surely be inspired by their performances in Tokyo. Acting as powerful role models, Moldauer, Lee, and Windle pave the way for future star athletes in the Asian American community.