Whereas at Princeton College, Ashleigh Johnson established herself as one of many nation’s prime water polo goalkeepers. You’ll have thought that becoming a member of Group USA on the Olympics was naturally the following step. Nevertheless, it was Coach Adam Krikorian’s pitch that sealed the deal.
“The promote wasn’t to be an Olympian or win a gold medal,” Krikorian instructed the Olympic Channel. It was what a terrific function mannequin she can be.”
And it labored.
Johnson has carried out greater than embrace this function however has thrived as arguably the face of Group USA’s water polo crew. The 29-year-old is again for a 3rd time as Group USA’s goalkeeper—the crew goes for the gold at this time at this yr’s summer season video games—with the identical mission she had within the earlier two journeys: win a gold medal.
As soon as once more, Group USA girls’s water polo crew can be favored to be on the prime of the rostrum stand. How Johnson performs will go far of their quest for an Olympic gold three-peat.
Through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Johnson affirmed her standing as the most effective goalkeepers on the planet. She made 80 saves, probably the most amongst all goalkeepers throughout that competitors.
However past her success within the pool, Johnson’s mission in Paris is identical because it was on the Rio and Tokyo Video games. She strives to be somebody who conjures up different Black folks to pursue water polo and different aquatic sports activities.
Because the crew’s first Black participant, Johnson was among the many breakout stars on the gold medal-winning 2016 USA Water Polo crew.
Along with profitable the gold medal, she obtained different accolades, together with the Girls Sports activities Basis’s Sportswoman of the 12 months – Group Sport award.
“As the primary Black lady to signify the U.S. Olympic crew in water polo, it was superb to simply have that have,” she mentioned. “It’s simply actually cool to interrupt via that invisible barrier you don’t take into consideration till you’re there (on the Olympics).”
Whereas Johnson leans into her standing as a job mannequin, she initially didn’t absolutely know it.
“I bear in mind once I was younger on this nationwide crew and simply beginning to discover my footing, I didn’t perceive why it was vital for me to be right here,” she instructed NBC Information. “However I perceive now. As a Black lady of Caribbean descent on this sport, I undoubtedly really feel a particular obligation to be a lightweight for little Black and brown ladies and boys who could also be eager about swimming and water polo. That’s actually particular and is a precedence for me.”
Johnson has introduced a deeper understanding of water polo to many. Amongst them is her mother.
“I didn’t even know what water polo was,” her mom, Donna Johnson, instructed NBC Information. “I had these horrible nightmares and daymares of them falling into the pool and all of them attempting to avoid wasting one another, however all drowning collectively.”
However in time, Johnson’s mom realized this was about extra than simply competing. It was a calling that her daughter was greater than keen and in a position to reply.
“I’m very comfortable that taking part in the game has helped her develop into somebody who likes to encourage youngsters,” Johnson mentioned.
That inspiration will proceed to create extra alternatives for others on the earth of water polo.
“The extra they’ll see somebody like Ashleigh do what she will be able to do, the extra African People we will get entangled in our sport,” Krikorian mentioned.
