Erik Shoji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Erik Shoji |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Erik Thomas Shoji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 24, 1989 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.84 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College(s) | Stanford University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Libero | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Erik Thomas Shoji (born August 24, 1989) is a professional volleyball player from the United States. He plays as a libero, which is a special defensive position in volleyball. Erik plays for the club team ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle and is also a key member of the U.S. national team.
Erik has won many important medals throughout his career. He earned bronze medals at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and Paris 2024. He also won the World League in 2014 and the World Cup in 2015. With his club team ZAKSA, he has won the CEV Champions League twice, in 2022 and 2023.
Contents
About Erik Shoji
Erik Shoji was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. His dad, Dave Shoji, is a famous volleyball coach. He coached the women's volleyball team at the University of Hawaii. Erik's older brother, Kawika, is also a professional volleyball player.
Erik went to Punahou School in Hawaii. There, he helped his school's volleyball team win three state titles in a row. After high school, Erik attended Stanford University. He was the first player ever to be named an All-American four times by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). He also set a record at Stanford for the most "digs" in a career, with 1,402 digs. A dig is when a player saves a hard-hit ball from touching the ground.
His Volleyball Career
Erik Shoji joined the United States senior national team in 2013. He has played for Team USA in three Olympic Games. He helped the team win a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and another bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
For his club career, Erik has played for professional teams in different countries. These include Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy, and Russia. Since 2021, he has played for the Polish club ZAKSA. With ZAKSA, he has won four Polish League championships and two CEV Champions League titles. The CEV Champions League is one of the biggest club volleyball tournaments in Europe.
Awards and Honors
Erik Shoji has received many awards for his excellent play.
Club Achievements
- CEV Champions League
2021–22 – with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle- 2022–23 – with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
- CEV Cup
2015–16 – with Berlin Recycling Volleys
- Domestic League and Cup Wins
- 2013–14 Austrian Cup, with Hypo Tirol Innsbruck
- 2013–14
Austrian Championship, with Hypo Tirol Innsbruck - 2015–16 German Cup, with Berlin Recycling Volleys
- 2015–16 German Championship, with Berlin Recycling Volleys
- 2021–22 Polish Cup, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
- 2021–22 Polish Championship, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
- 2022–23 Polish Cup, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
- 2023–24 Polish SuperCup, with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle
- 2013–14
Youth National Team Awards
- 2006
NORCECA U19 Championship (Silver Medal)
Individual Awards
- 2007: FIVB U19 World Championship – Best Digger (for his excellent defensive plays)
- 2008: NORCECA U21 Championship – Best Receiver (for his skill in receiving serves)
- 2008: NORCECA U21 Championship – Best Defender (for his overall defensive skills)
- 2008: NORCECA U21 Championship – Best Libero (the top player in his position)
- 2015: FIVB World Cup – Best Libero
- 2019: FIVB Nations League – Best Libero
- 2023: NORCECA Championship – Best Receiver
