AAPI Athletes A-Z (A Children’s Guide to Asian American Athletes), written and illustrated by Emma Yu, founder of AAPI Youth Voices, is a vibrant introduction to the remarkable achievements of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) athletes. This engaging book spotlights 26 trailblazing athletes who have excelled in their sports, broken barriers, and left lasting legacies.
Featuring 14 male and 12 female athletes, the book highlights champions across a variety of sports, from martial arts and speed skating to basketball and golf. These athletes come from diverse AAPI communities, including Japanese American, Chinese American, Korean American, Filipino American, Hawaiian, Samoan, Taiwanese American, and more.
Among the inspiring figures featured are:
- Apolo Anton Ohno (Speed Skating) – Olympic gold medalist and U.S. record holder;
- Naomi Osaka (Tennis) – Grand Slam champion and mental health advocate;
- Sunisa Lee (Gymnastics) – Olympic all-around gold medalist and Hmong American trailblazer;
- Tiger Woods (Golf) – One of the greatest golfers of all time;
- Julie Chu (Ice Hockey) – Four-time Olympian and captain of Team USA;
- Michelle Kwan (Figure Skating) – Two-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion;
- Jeremy Lin (Basketball) – NBA player and global inspiration during “Linsanity”;
- B.J. Penn (Mixed Martial Arts) – UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion;
- Ichiro Suzuki (Baseball) – 10-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner;
- Younghoe Koo (Football) – NFL placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons known for his precision and resilience;
Greg Louganis (Diving) – Two-time Olympic gold medalist;
Unnati Hooda (Badminton) – The youngest Indian American to win a BWF Super 100 tournament.
With a mix of Olympic champions, world record holders, and groundbreaking pioneers, AAPI Athletes A-Z serves as a powerful tribute to AAPI sports legends and their contributions to athletics.
This book, along with AAPI Female Figures A-Z, AAPI Legends A-Z, and AAPI Firsts A-Z, serves as part of the curriculum for our “One Month of AAPI Heritage” program in May, introducing young readers to AAPI history, culture, and achievements. Free online resources are available to support educators and students in enriching classroom discussions on AAPI representation in sports.
With colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, AAPI Athletes A-Z inspires young readers to celebrate diversity, embrace resilience, and pursue their dreams—no matter their background.
