US Open: Jessica Pegula falls to the No. 1 seed but AAPI community comes out a winner

Alexandra Eala was a crowd pleaser in the US Open courts and at the box office.

 

Aryna Sabalenka’s bruising 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jessica Pegula in the 2026 US Open semifinals was, on paper, another masterclass in power tennis. 

For Pegula, the world No. 3, it was a frustrating roadblock against a rival who simply locked into a violent, unescapable groove on the Flushing Meadows hard courts. Pegula fought with her signature flat, pristine ball-striking, but she ultimately ran out of answers against top-seeded Sabalenka's relentless attack.

Yet, for those of us watching through the lens of representation, Pegula’s deep run in New York remains a quiet triumph. 

As a Korean American athlete who actively champions diversity through the AAPI Tennis Association, her presence at the top of the game provides a vital institutional anchor. Her background—nuanced by the intersection of race and immense family wealth—continues to redefine what an Asian American sports icon looks like in the modern era.

The Eala Effect

But if Pegula represents the established vanguard, this summer truly belonged to the seismic, culture-shifting arrival of Alexandra Eala.

The 21-year-old Filipina sensation didn’t just play tennis this summer; she turned American stadiums into home venues. Fresh off a historic breakthrough where she claimed the Washington Open title — becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a Tour-level title — Eala carried a tidal wave of diaspora energy straight into New York.

For the 4.7 million Filipinos living in the United States, Eala's matches became mandatory cultural viewing and an opportunity to assert their presence known in the community. 

During her pulsating, three-hour third-round epic against Iva Jovic on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the stands didn't feel like a standard tennis crowd. They felt like a family reunion. To the consterationation of traditional tennis fans, Every baseline winner from Eala was met with a roar of tricolor flags and the unmistakable, passionate backing of a community that has long waited to see its heritage center-stage in a major sport.

The US media, usually slow to look beyond homegrown prodigies, was forced to take notice. Mainstream giants like ESPN, Forbes, Wall Street Journal and the New York Times scrambled to cover the "Eala Effect" —t he way a young star from Quezon City could completely command the media narrative and turn a mid-tournament match into a high-stakes cultural event.

What makes Eala truly transcendental, however, is the tangible economic impact tracing her wake. According to data released by the WTA, Eala's presence has unlocked entirely new diaspora consumer markets:

• The Ticket Boom: Ticket demand spiked wildly wherever she stepped on court; in Toronto, her sessions pulled a staggering 64% increase in newly acquired ticket buyers compared to any other player on the tour.

• The Digital Footprint: Her social media footprint skyrocketed, with her Instagram following surging past 1.9 million followers as "Yala Mania" took over the internet.

• The Broadcast Surge: Viewership numbers back in the Philippines shattered previous tennis broadcast records, with millions of fans waking up at dawn to stream her matches in real-time.

View from the edge

Not since 2021 when Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu played in the finals has the Asian presence been as noticeable.

This "identity-driven demand" is rewriting the commercial landscape of women's sports. Eala secured $1.7 million in on-court prize money in 2026 alone, but her corporate pull is where her market value shifts into overdrive. Forbes reports her off-court commercial earnings surpassed $5 million over the past 12 months, fueled by global powerhouses like Panasonic and Marriott alongside major Filipino brands.

Tennis executives and tournament organizers are already realizing they have an unprecedented economic engine on their hands. Client managers at IMG openly project that by 2027, Eala’s skyrocketing endorsement portfolio — with minimum deals now starting in the seven-figure range — will comfortably position her as the second-highest-paid female athlete in the world, trailing only Coco Gauff.

 "The AAPI tennis community is large but underrepresented," said Pegula, one of the cofounders of the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association. "We hope to empower leaders, grow visibility, and create programming that encourages youth participation." 

Pegula may have gone further in the draw, but Eala proved that the future of tennis speaks directly to the global diaspora.

Pegula, Eala, Osaka, zheng, Tien and the other Asian and Asian American players have firmly arrived, and the media and corporate landscape — much like the sport itself — will never look the same.

Eala took to Instagram to share her feelings after her journey in New York came to an end, writing: “Live for the chase. Immense gratitude for what I’ve been through this week. US Open ‘26, a forever kind of memory.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost. 

Tennis: Pegula advances to finals and Cinderella-run ends for Eala

Korean American Jessica Pegula advances to the finals of the Berlin Open.

Today at the Steffi Graf Stadion, players of Asian heritage found outthe lawn season moves fast, and if you blink, you miss the exact moment a player finds their footing before Wimbledon.  The semi-finals gave us a masterclass in survival, a reality check for a rising phenom, and a massive launchpad for what is about to go down in London.

Jessica Pegula, a Korean American who grew up in Buffalo, New York, clinched a spot in the Berlin Open final by defeating No, 1 ranked Aryna Sabalenka (6-4, 6-7, 6-0).

“The way she’s able to execute in pressure moments, in Grand Slams and tournaments is incredible," Pegula said of her win over Sabalenka.

“For sure, she’s been the best player in the world, and every time we have played, they’ve been awesome matches.

Pegula will face Linda Noskova, who reached the finals by beating Filipino fan favorite Alex Eala, 20, (6-2, 6-4). 

Top-ranked American Jessica Pegula proved once again that she has the ultimate hard-nosed, blue-collar mentality on grass. Facing World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, Pegula weathered a two-hour rain delay and a brutal second-set tiebreak loss. Instead of folding, she handed Sabalenka a stunning third-set bagel to lock up a 6-4, 6-7, 6-0 victory. 

For Pegula, this isn't just about playing for a German trophy tomorrow; it’s a loud, clear message to the rest of the tour that her flat, low-skidding groundstrokes are primed for a deep title run at Wimbledon.

The fairytale ends

On the other side of the draw, 21-year-old Filipina wildcard Eala saw her Cinderella run cut short by an absolutely flawless Nosková, losing 6-2, 6-4 in 69 minutes. Nosková simply brought too much firepower, striking eight aces and refusing to let Eala breathe on her service games.

Filipino phenom Alexandra Eala WTA ranking rises to No. 30.

But don't let the scoreboard fool you. Eala’s week in Berlin was legendary. She didn't just participate; she actively tore through the draw, shocking World No. 2 Elena Rybakina and veteran fighter Elina Svitolina in back-to-back matches.

The immediate payoff? According to the latest WTA Live Rankings, Eala has surged up to World No. 30. She is now sitting just one spot away from her all-time career high of No. 29, positioning herself perfectly to make a massive impact on the grass of Wimbledon.

Eala has already proven she belongs on the big stage. With her newfound Top 30 status, the draw sheet at Wimbledon just got a whole lot scarier for any seeded players who might have to cross paths with her in the early rounds.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Code Red in Newark: ICE agents pepperspray US Senator Andy Kim

FACEBOOK

Just before getting peppersprayed, Senator Andy Kim tried to de-escalate the confrontation.

This incident is ridiculous. ICE agents pepper-sprayed a US Senator. The incident with New Jersey's Korean American Sen. Andy Kim demonstrates, once again, the need to rein in Donald Trump's out-of-control army.

The thin veneer of constitutional governance didn't just crack outside Newark’s Delaney Hall—it was blasted apart by a cloud of federal-grade pepper spray.
When Kim was filmed on Monday clutching an ice pack while street medics frantically flushed chemical irritants from his eyes, the imagery captured something far deeper than a chaotic protest. It gave a visceral face to a raging constitutional crisis: a rogue executive branch physically assaulting the very lawmakers empowered to oversee it.

"My eyes were hurting, my throat was burning," Kim said afterwards.

The clash

The powder keg ignited over a hunger strike inside the privately run, 1,000-bed immigration warehouse. Roughly 300 detainees are currently risking starvation to protest what advocates call "inhumane" living conditions, including acute medical neglect.

When Kim, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and other New Jersey Democrats showed up for a critical oversight visit, they were met with immediate stonewalling. Sherrill was completely blocked at the gate. Senator Kim only forced his way inside after making a direct, high-stakes phone call to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

But the true ugly underbelly of federal enforcement was waiting for Kim when he stepped back outside.

Faced with a tense standoff between an armored ICE vehicle, heavily weaponized agents, and a human chain of peaceful demonstrators, Kim did what a leader is supposed to do: he stepped into the gap. Putting his hands up in a universal "stop" motion, the Korean American senator tried to broker a de-escalation.

The federal response? In an interview with CNN''s Jake Tapper, Kim said:

US Sen. Andy Kim had his eyes flushed out after
getting pepperspreayed by ICE agents.

"So I tried my best to get between the ICE agents and the crowd as the ICE convoy decided to just go ahead and plow through the crowd, which was just absolutely so dangerous of an action that they were doing. So I remember the pepper balls starting to get shot towards my feet and past me. I did not get hit directly by a pepper ball, but certainly between the pepper balls and then the pepper spray that was happening, I’d certainly had an irritation and burning sensation in my eyes and my throat.

"But more broadly, this was something that was avoidable. We were trying to find a way to be able to move forward that wasn’t gonna escalate in this way. But ICE decided that they just had enough and they were gonna just move ahead. And I just thought that was an incredibly dangerous action for them to do. And that continued problems, that continued threat of violence and escalation continues today. Tomorrow, I mean, ... we’re seeing just a heightened level of danger right now in New Jersey."

Lawless enforcers

Let’s cut through the Department of Homeland Security’s spin, which quickly dismissed the oversight visit as a "political stunt."

The law is unequivocal. Under Section 527 of the DHS Appropriations Act, no taxpayer funds may be used to block a Member of Congress from entering or inspecting an immigration detention facility. Period. Full stop. Federal courts reaffirmed this exact mandate earlier this year in Neguse v. Noem, ruling that the executive branch lacks the authority to gatekeep congressional oversight.

ICE’s defense rests on an unconstitutional house of cards—specifically, an agency-invented rule requiring a seven-day advance notice for visits. But a federal agency’s internal memo cannot override statutory federal law.

Furthermore, under standard DHS Use of Force Directives, federal agents are legally restricted to using force that is "objectively reasonable." Deploying chemical weapons against a visible, compliant federal lawmaker attempting to peacefully negotiate a crowd clearance violates the core tenets of acceptable law enforcement behavior.

Kim to take action

Can these agents be disciplined? On paper, absolutely. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) possess the clear authority to suspend, terminate, or recommend criminal assault charges against the officers involved.

But in the Trump regime, "can" and "will" are miles apart. With a DHS leadership that treats congressional oversight like an enemy insurgency, internal investigators will face immense institutional pressure to sweep this under the rug as standard "crowd control."

Kim hasn't signaled an intent to file personal charges or lawsuits. He knows the battlefield is systemic. Instead of getting bogged down in an uphill legal battle against qualified immunity, Kim is taking the fight back to Washington, demanding the permanent shutdown of Delaney Hall and drafting legislation to cut off the administration's ability to buy up more corporate detention warehouses.

When federal law enforcement agents feel entitled to pepper-spray the lawmakers who hold the purse strings, the balance of power is no longer just threatened. It's on fire.

“What we saw here is unfortunately just what we see all over the country,” Kim told NJ.com. “It’s sad, it’s a sad day.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Jessica Pegula is the top-ranked American tennis player

Jessica Pegula is working towards the next Grand Slam, the French Open in May.

Jessica Pegula just proved once again why she is the most resilient force in tennis, successfully defending her Credit One Charleston Open title on Sunday. 

As a result of her win in Charleston, the 32-year old Pegula is now the top-ranked American woman, having returned to a career-high ranking of world No. 3 overtaking Coco Gauff, who had previously been the top-ranked American, to claim the spot.

“I guess my super power for this week is, I don't know, maybe my stamina, my mental fortitude," said Pegula after her victory over Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva. "Maybe just a little bit lucky,"she added.

In a clinical 6-2, 6-2 masterclass against Starodubtseva, Pegula became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2013 to go back-to-back in the Lowcountry.

For those tracking the steady rise of Asian American icons in sports, Pegula’s victory is more than just another trophy for the mantle. As a proud Korean American — the daughter of Kim Pegula, who was born in Seoul — Jessica continues to break barriers with a lunch-pail work ethic that has become her trademark on the WTA Tour.

Never say die

This wasn't an easy walk in the park. Before the dominant final, Pegula survived a gauntlet with four straight three-set matches leading up to the final and in which she trailed at least 0-2 in every deciding set of those matches. In total, she spent over 11 hours on court before even reaching Sunday's match.

The transition from hard court to clay may have something to do with her long matches earlier in the tournament. 

“I do think that this week is something that I can really build off of,” she said. “There's a lot of things that I feel like I can get better at that I'm not doing that well right now, that I feel have a lot to do with the surface change, just my footing, my footwork, like decision making."

Following her title defense in Charlotte, Pegula remains rock-solid at World No. 5 in the WTA rankings.

Charlotte is her second title of the 2026 season, following a win at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February. Pegula now leads the WTA with 24 victories this season, moving ahead of No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.

View from the edge

She is officially the top-ranked Asian American tennis player in the world (male or female). While there is incredible talent across the continent—including stars like Leylah Fernandez (the top-ranked Asian Canadian) and Naomi Osaka — Pegula currently holds the highest global ranking of any player with North American-Asian heritage.

Pegula is shifting her focus to the European red clay as she prepares for the grueling road to the French Open in Paris which starts May 18. But first, her next tournament is The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany April 13-18.

Her "never-say-die" attitude — proven by her 11-hour marathon week in Charleston—is exactly the mindset needed to survive the European clay circuit.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Jessica Pegula ousted from Miami Open

Jess Pegula fought hard all the way but frustration mounted as she lost to Elena Rybakina.

The streak is officially a hex. Jessica Pegula (WTA No. 5) just can’t find the code to crack the Elena Rybakina (WTA No. 4) enigma, dropping her fifth straight match to the Kazakh powerhouse in a heartbreaking 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 collapse at the Miami Open quarterfinals.

For a minute there, it looked like the narrative was finally changing. The Korean American tennis veteran came out like a woman possessed, slicing through the first set 6-2 in a cool 35 minutes while Rybakina looked stuck in the mud. But if we’ve learned anything from this rivalry, it’s that Rybakina is never truly out until the handshake.

The wheels started wobbling in the second set. Pegula, 32, had three chances to break at 2-2—moments that likely would have buried the match—but she couldn't convert. The younger Rybakina smelled the hesitation, cranked up the serve (finishing with 15 aces), and never looked back. By the time they reached the third, the momentum had completely flipped.

The frustration was palpable. Pegula, usually the stoic professional, let the emotions fly with a mid-match rant that caught the mics, proving just how much this specific matchup is living rent-free in her head. Despite actually winning more total points (100 to 98), Pegula remains the bridesmaid in this rivalry.

“I’m putting myself right there,” Pegula told media. “I’m ­giving myself the chances and the ­opportunities, I think I have elevated my game, I’ve become a better player. I am definitely challenging them, both of them. That’s kind of all I can ask of myself and hopefully some of the wins will come along.”

Next up, Jess heads to the green clay of the Credit One Charleston Open, where she’ll look to defend her title starting March 30, 2026. It’s just the reset she needs to flush this hard-court hex and find her footing on the dirt.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Miami Open: Pegula carries AAPI torch into the quarterfinals

Korean American Jessica Pegula faces her toughest test today at the Miami Open.

Jessica Pegula isn’t just winning; she’s carrying the torch. After a clinical 6-4, 6-1 demolition of Jaqueline Cristian, the world No. 5 is officially the last Asian American standing in the Miami Open draw, and she’s doing it with the quiet, relentless efficiency that has become her trademark.

Watching Jessie work on the Butch Buchholz court was a masterclass in "The Edge." Playing the best tennis" she has ever played, Pegula represents a specific kind of excellence: grounded, unwavering, and tactically superior. She didn't just win this match; she suffocated it.

Pegula faced zero break points. In a game often defined by momentum swings, she refused to give Cristian even an inch of daylight.

At one point in the second set, Jessie rattled off 10 straight points. That’s not just good tennis; that’s being "in the zone" while everyone else is still checking their watches.

By moving into the quarterfinals, she joins Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only American women to reach five consecutive Miami QFs. That is the kind of air—elite, rare, and hard-earned—that defines a legacy.

Pegula, whose mother is Korean, is the lone Asian American representative left in the heat of Miami.

Next up is a heavy-hitting clash with No. 3-ranked Elena Rybakina today slated for a 10 a.m. EDT start. It’s the veteran composure of Pegula versus the raw power of Rybakina—a true test of whether Jessie’s surgical precision can dismantle one of the tour’s biggest serves. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a developing story. Check back later for results. For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

Miami Open: Jessica Pegula advances to Round of 16 be beating Lylah Fernandez

Ranked No. 4, Jessica Pegula says the match was "some of the best tennis I've played."

While most media focused on Alexandra Eala's remarkable run at the Miami Open, today featured a match between Korean American Jessica Pegula and Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez with Pegula advancing to the next round.

The high-stakes matchup showcased two of the most prominent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) figures in professional tennis. Pegula, whose mother was born in Seoul, dominated the baseline to secure a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over Fernandez, whose father is of Ecuadorian descent and mother is of Filipino heritage.

AAPI excellence on Center Court

The world No. 4 proved why she is a perennial contender, using her flat, powerful groundstrokes to keep Fernandez on the defensive. Her win marks the sixth straight year she has reached the Miami Open Round of 16.

Pegula described her game as "some of the best tennis I've played."

Despite the scoreline, the young Filipino Canadian star showed flashes of the grit that took her to the 2021 US Open final. However, she struggled to find answers for Pegula’s nearly flawless first serve, which saw the American win 88% of those points.

While the tournament has been abuzz with the historic performance of Filipina 20-year old Eala, this clash between Pegula and Fernandez underscores the growing depth and influence of the AAPI community at the highest levels of the sport.

Pegula now moves on to face No. 35-ranked Jaqueline Cristian on Monday, 7 p.m.

Quick exit for Naomi Osaka

It’s a tough beat for Naomi Osaka and her legions of fans. The four-time Slam champ is officially out of the 2026 Miami Open after a stunner in the second round.

Despite coming in as the 16th seed, Osaka couldn't find her rhythm against Talia Gibson, an Aussie qualifier who took the match 7–5, 6–4. Naomi’s serve was there—she hammered home 13 aces—but she just couldn't break Gibson, going 0-for-4 on break chances.

But the real story is what happened off the court. After the loss, fan favorite Osaka  got real about the "dilemma" she’s facing. She admitted it’s getting harder and harder to leave her daughter, Shai, for the grind of the tour. She basically told reporters that if she isn't winning, the sacrifice of being away from home isn't worth it.

Add in a lingering back injury that forced her to pull out of the Charleston Open, and the retirement rumors are starting to swirl again. For now, the plan is to rest up and try to regroup for the clay-court season in Europe.

FYI: In the Miami Open's round of 16, the Philippines' Alexandre Eala meets Karolina Muchova Monday, March 23, 11 a.m. EDT.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

2026 Olympics: Snowboarding champ Chloe Kim honors her immigrant parents and US diversity

Chloe Kim seeks her third gold medal at the Olympics.

As Chloe Kim prepares readies herself in her quest for an unprecedented third gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, she’s making sure the world knows who paved the path to Italy.

In a poignant reflection shared just as the torch was lit, Kim pivoted from the technicalities of her run to the emotional weight of her heritage. For Kim, this isn't just about American gold—it’s about Korean American grit.

Kim spoke candidly about the "leap of faith" her parents, Jong Jin and Boran Yun Kim, took when they emigrated from South Korea.

"They left behind everything they knew — their language, their comfort, their entire support system — just so my sisters and I could have a shot at something bigger," Kim shared. "Every time I strap into my board, I’m carrying the weight of that sacrifice. I’m living the American Dream they dreamed for me before I was even born."

Kim's event is the Women's Half-Pipe which begins competition Wednesday.

For those of us watching from the Edge, Kim’s words hit home. She’s acknowledging the specific, often quiet struggle of immigrant parents who "empty their tanks" to fuel their children’s ambitions

RELATED: Chloe Kim wins gold medal in 2022

Kim's statement

Just before she begins her quest for a third gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, considering her timing, Kim posted on social media what can only be interpreted as a response to the anti-immigrant hate emanating from the Donald Trump regime: 

I can’t believe I’ve arrived in Milan to represent my country at the Olympic Games for the third time. If you told little me that, she wouldn’t believe you
This one feels especially meaningful for so many reasons.

My parents left South Korea in search of a better future for their family. They left behind everything they knew so that my sisters and I could have the chance to one day live the American dream. Their sacrifice is one I will never take for granted.

So when I stand at the top of the halfpipe, competing on the biggest stage in sport, I do so with immense pride. I am representing my country but I am also representing those who took a leap of faith, who came to this beautiful nation carrying hopes, dreams, and courage.

I am proud of my heritage.
I am proud of my journey.
And I am proud to represent a country that is strongest when it embraces diversity, dignity, and hope.

GO TEAM USA!!

Kim indicated that the hatred has persisted throughout her career, particularly escalating since 2020, and has forced her to take measures for her personal safety.
Kim noted that representing Team USA is an honor, but representing the immigrant experience is her "true north."

Her response came amid a broader political climate where several Team USA athletes at a press conference expressed "mixed emotions" about representing the country during the Trump regime's aggressive immigration enforcement and questionable ICE operations.

A half-pipe teammate Bea Kim (no relation) said, "I think there are a lot of different opinions in the US right now. Obviously, we're very divided." The18-year old from California added, "I personally am very proud to represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes us a very strong country and what makes us so special."

"Nowhere else in the world can an individual express themself with the level of freedom Americans can," added Bea Kim, who is participating in her first Olympics.

"The Olympics are more than just sport. They represent global unity and peace," wrote Bea Kim in a social media post on Sunday. "Diversity is what makes the United States so special. It is woven into the very fabric of our country."

Freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess expressed heartbreak over ICE raids, while figure skater Amber Glenn noted the difficulties faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

American athletes Bea Kim, left, and Chloe Kim share a hug during a press conference.

"There's obviously a lot going on that I'm not the biggest fan of," Hess said at he news conference in Milan ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. "Wearing the flag doesn't mean I represent everything that's going on in the US.

"I'm representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the US. I just think if it aligns with my moral values, I feel like I'm representing it."

Chloe Kim shared that the prevalence of hate crimes and online abuse has led her to carry protective items like pepper spray and a knife for everyday safety.

The statements by the athletes have drawn rebukes from the Trump regime and radical conservatives who equate criticism as being unpatriotic, an ironic sentiment  from people who support the Jan. 6 Insurrection.

As Chloe Kim chases her third consecutive gold this week, Kim has made one thing clear: The medals might go in her trophy case, but the victory belongs to the man who quit his job to drive her to the mountains and the woman who taught her how to stand tall in a world that doesn't always see her.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

NFL players mourn shooting death of Korean American coach and mentor

Coach John Beam, was 66 years old when he was fatally shot.

 John Beam was the celebrated Korean American coach at Oakland's Laney College  whose life was tragically cut short in a campus shooting.

Coach Beam died on November 14 from a gunshot wound sustained during a shooting on the Laney College campus the previous day. A suspect, a former high school player from an rival school, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting.
Beam was a highly respected figure in the Bay Area, a mentor to thousands of young people. He was a proud Korean American, a fact passed over by most mainstream media. It's a shame because his racial heritage was a major part of what made him who he became.

Beam was born in San Diego, but his father, a US Navy veteran who met his wife in Korea, moved the family to Japan to be closer to her home country. Beam spent his early childhood there and was reportedly fluent in Japanese, which his mother also spoke with their maid. This immersion in a different culture from a young age helped shape his worldview.

The family moved to San Diego when Beam's father was reassigned to that city where he continued to thrive in the multicultural environment.

His mother's influence seems to be most evident in the grounding in different cultures and the strong family values that friends and family say he carried throughout his life, becoming a father figure to thousands of young men in the process.

Being Hapa

Beam's pride in his mixed-race background was evident throughout his life. He openly discussed his heritage in a 2011 interview with HalfKorean.com, where he detailed his mother's background and their unique family dynamic, highlighting the normalcy of their diverse household.

Here's an excerpt from that interview:

Growing up my breakfast was different in that I didn’t eat cereal. I had hard-boiled eggs sliced up with soy sauce. I had rice and hot water and cut a fish or squid. You’re doing these things at school where we’re trying to figure out if you’re eating healthy. We would work on assignments that asked “what was your breakfast?” but none of the food I ate was on any list.

Beam coached for over 45 years at Laney College and Skyline High School, mentoring thousands of students, including many who went on to play in the NFL. His influence extended beyond sports, with many community members mourning the loss of a man who was dedicated to building up the youth of Oakland, according to CBS News.

He was the head coach of the Laney College football team from 2012 to 2024 and then became the athletic director. His 2019 season with the Laney Eagles was featured in the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U, which brought his story and identity to a national audience.

FYI: Watch the 'Last Chance U' episodes featuring Coach John Beam

He helped more than 20 of his players go on to play in the NFL and was instrumental in shaping the lives of numerous athletes, many of whom credit him with saving their lives.

NFL player's emotional tribute

Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright, who played for Beam at Laney, paid an emotional tribute to his "father figure" during the game against the Vikings. After catching interception he went the endzone and knelt to honor Beam while his teammates consled him.

SCREEN CAPTURE

Chicago Bears Nashon Wright paid tribute to the slain John Beam.

Other players, including Nahshon's brother Rejzohn Wright, a cornerback for the New Orleans Saints, and former NFL player William Blackwell Jr., have also expressed their grief, with many highlighting Beam's profound impact on their lives and careers.

Nahshon Wright, spoke about the significant impact Beam had on their lives, often describing him as a father figure.

"We talked once a week, easily," Nahshon Wright told KTVU. "He did a lot for me and my brother."

NBA star and Oakland native Damian Lillard called Beam a "true Oakland legend and GREAT man" on Instagram. "Hundreds of kids all over Oakland became the type of men they are today because of this dude."Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wore a shirt with Beam's name on it before a game against the Spurs. He also used the tragedy to speak about the larger issue of gun violence.

“We have to be the change, as a community, as citizens, we have to be the ones that insist that we address the gun violence issue in this country,” he said.

Days after the fatal shooting, Oakland police arrested Cedric Irving, 27, as a suspect .

Oakland police Assistant Chief James Beere told reporters that police believe Irving knew Beam but that they "did not have a relationship."

"This was a very targeted incident," Beere alleged. "I will say Coach Beam, although they did not have a close relationship, was open to helping everybody in our community and this is not uncommon for him to have a relationship with someone that he would think needs help."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

• 
  

Korean American tennis player moves to US Open semi-finals

Jessica Pegula enroute to the US Open semi-finals.

One dream continues as another dream comes to an end at the US Open.

Korean American Jessica Pegula makes it to the quarter-rfinals but crowd favorite 45-year old Venus Williams and Filipino Canadian teammate Leylah Fernandez

Taking care of business Tuesday morning, No. 4 seed and last year's US Open finalist Jessica Pegula avoided any potential drama and eased past Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals in Flushing Meadows for the second straight year.

No. 4 seed Pegula,whose mother is from Korea, was born in Buffalo, NY. Her parents are  the owners of the NFL's Buffalo Bills and NHL's Buffalo Sabres, showed exactly why she’s made eight Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances in just the last four years.

“I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis,” Pegula said on-court after the bout. “I’ve just been playing very solid, I’ve been having very good, quick starts, so I really wanted to do that today, especially against someone like her who’s very dangerous. And even at the end there it got really tight. She hit a couple really good returns when I was serving up 4-1 and then we all saw what she did against Taylor, so yeah, I was happy that we’re done [with the match].”

The results were not as favorable for Fernandez  and Williams who played Tuesday afternoon against  the No. 1 seed of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend. The latter team has been together a little less than two years but the pair has already collected Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open this year.

Fernandez and Williams

In contrast, the Fernandez-Williams pair was put together onlly two days before the start of this year's US Open and not even seeded.

Teamwork developed over time was an advantage for Siniakova and Townsend who went on to win the contest, 6-1. 6-2, in only 55 minutes.

Thw team of Venus Williams, left and Leylah Fernandez was the surprise of the US Open.

Siniakova and Townsend were in control throughout the game. Townsend was extremely effective at the net and neither Williams or Fernandez could handle her serve, hitting the return out-of bounds, into the net or right to their opponent.

"Seeing Venus playing on court for joy just kind of brought me back as to why I started playing tennis," said the 22-year old Fernandez.

Even Townsend, who usually has the crowd on her side, had to step aside for Williams, who has won four US Open titles, two in singles and two in doubles.

"Growing up watching Venus and Serena, for me and my sister, we wanted to be like them. It was an honour to share the court with her," said the US's Townsend.

Crowd favorite Williams, who was visibly emotional after exiting the singles competition in the first round, was all smiles as she soaked up the standing ovation from the crowd.

"I'm really happy with the way that we played today," said Townsend. "Especially playing opponents that are that tough and are able to kind of make adjustments on the fly, and Venus is a legend and understands and knows how to win and figure things out when things aren't going her way. And Leylah the same. She always is a fighter.

"It really made me very proud, and I'm sure Kat as well, of the way we were able to stay solid from start to finish."

Tomorrow (Sept. 3) Japan's Naomi Osaka, who holds dual citiznship for Japan and the US, will face off against Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. 

''Past Lives' earns two Academy Awards nominations

Teo Yoo and Greta Lee star in 'Past Lives.'

Past Lives, a story of childhood friends in Korea reconnect as adults in the United States received two Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

“It’s just so amazing. It’s such a great honor, and on the first movie, I think that’s really the coolest thing,” filmmaker Celine Song told Deadline. “It feels so ... cool and amazing, and I just genuinely am so ... grateful for every single person…who’s ever come across being a part of this movie, anybody who’s even talked to me about this movie.”

        FYI: The complete list of nominees for 2024 Academy Awards

The lyrical film served as ametaphor for the pull of countries of origi was also the directorial debut of by Korean Canadian Song.

It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Jan. 2023, Past Lives was named one of the top ten films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, then received five nominations at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

Some critics believe the quiet romantic film should have received nominations for Best Director and its female lead Greta Lee should have been nominated for Best Actress.

An Oscar nomination also went to Nai Nai and Wai Po, (Mom's mom and Dad's Mom) in the Short Documentary category about two grandparents who become best friends and live together. The "love letter" to the two grandparents is written and directed by their grandson Sean Wang.

The 96th Academy Awards will air on ABC on March 10 and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the blog Views From the Edge.