Erik Shoji: Everyone should be able to play

Published 01:00, 08 Sept 2022

One of the most experienced and talented liberos on the international stage, Equal Jersey Ambassador Erik Shoji has joined other elite athletes including USA teammate Micah Christenson to highlight the importance of equality in volleyball.

Shoji grew up around women's volleyball - his father was a university coach - and as a fan of both men's and women's volleyball. He says equality is important in volleyball as everyone should be able to play.

I think I try to promote equality in volleyball by interacting with all kinds of fans, interacting with other teams, no matter who they are, where they come from, what their story is. I love to interact, take photos, sign autographs, and talk with them and hopefully through that we can grow the sport of volleyball and make sure that everyone playing is comfortable and competing out there. Erik Shoji

Erik Shoji is a key player for the USA team at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Poland and Slovenia, and one of the most effective liberos in the competition. USA take on reigning world champions Poland in the quarterfinals of the competition on Thursday and you can watch the match live on Volleyball TV.

All the best to the #EqualJersey Ambassadors competing at the World Champs!

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