Erik shoji gay
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.”
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Shoji admitted the moment felt “scary, but freeing at the similar 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 include , this is my moment, and I’m so eager 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
The captain of the U.S. men’s national volleyball team has come out publicly as queer.
Erik Shoji shared his personal news via a reel on TikTok and Instagram, posthaste receiving a flood of well-wishes. He has a joint following of over 1.6 million on the two platforms.
Considered by many fans of the sport to be the world’s best libero, the 35-year-old has been part of the senior national squad since 2013 and helped the U.S. team triumph bronze medals at the 2016 and 2024 Olympics, as well as the 2018 World Championship.
In the video, Shoji says: “I’m here to tell the world today that I am queer.
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“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 shift forward after this.”
Shoji was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His older brother Kawika was also part of the Rio 2016 team that won bronze, and their father is University of Hawaii women’s coach Dave Shoji.
A three-time Olympian, Erik Shoji attended Stanford University, where he becam
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I reflection he was gay
- Likes Received
- 3,308
- Posts
- 12,313
- Gender
- Male
- Favourite Team
- Imoco Conegliano, NT Croatia , NT Italy (F)
- Favourite Players
- Samanta Fabris, Joanne Wolosz, Monica De Gennaro, Raphaela Folie, Paola Egonu, Sarah Fahr
Half of Brazilian NT are lesbians
Hahaha that means in Brazil real Men are only in pictures.
If the Women know Serdar (lol) for sure They won't be Les.Prediction Game:
Gold Medals - 14
Silver Medals - 12
Bronze Medals - 9
Overall: 35
Details
Only your assumption or you have heard something?
My guess is Erik Shoji is gay..Only your assumption or you have heard something?
My guess is Erik Shoji is gay..I'm assuming from his instagram pics...
Hahaha that means in Brazil real Men are only in pictures.
If the Women know Serdar (lol) for sure They won't be Les.I'm assuming from his instagram pics...
I don't think he is.. but oh well..
- Likes Received
- 420
- Posts
- 8,062
- Gender
- Male
- Favourite Players
- Haak, Her
Justin Lui had been taking a split from social media so he could maintain his center on training with the Canada national men’s volleyball team.
It meant he arrived a little belated to Erik Shoji’s recent video on TikTok and Instagram, in which the U.S. captain talked publicly for the first time about being queer.
Related
U.S. men’s national team captain comes out as queer in strong video
A three-time Olympian, Erik Shoji was part of the U.S. volleyball team that won bronze at Rio 2016 and Paris 2024. He’s now told the world he’s also Team LGBTQ.
Watching Shoji communicate about his sexuality out loud and explain how he wanted to be “completely free” moving forward was a reminder to Lui of his possess moment of liberation, five years ago.
Get off the sidelines and into the game
Our weekly playbook is packed with everything from locker room chatter to pressing LGBTQ sports issues.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
When he nervously checked back later, his inbox was entire of supportive and appreciative messages from his Cardinals teammates.
Last year, Lui was the only out gay man participating in a traditional team sport at the Olympics, and he told Outs