Ashleigh Johnson, a water polo player from Miami, fell in love with swimming at a young age due to her mother’s fear of drowning in the family pool. She joined the local Riptides swim team, which eventually led her to the unique sport of water polo. Johnson excelled as a goalkeeper, becoming an All-American at Princeton University and winning two gold medals at the Olympics in 2016 and 2020. At 29, she is considered the best in her position in the world.
While Johnson is focused on winning a third gold medal in Paris, she also wants to have an impact on young people, especially in underserved communities. Being a Black woman of Caribbean descent in a predominantly white sport, Johnson feels a special obligation to inspire children of color to pursue swimming and water polo. She often holds clinics for local kids and finds interacting with children to be one of the most rewarding aspects of competing.
Growing up, Johnson and her siblings often found themselves as the only Black players on their teams. Despite facing challenges and feeling isolated at times, Johnson credits her mother for instilling in them a sense of worth and belonging. She wants to use her platform to make the sport a more inclusive and welcoming space for Black and brown people in the future.
Johnson’s journey in water polo has been marked by perseverance and personal growth. She faced criticism and skepticism when she joined the national team in California, but she overcame these barriers and proved herself as a talented goalkeeper. Although she may not know what the future holds after her water polo career, Johnson is excited about the possibilities and is considering options such as culinary school or starting a family.
Despite the challenges she has faced as the only Black athlete in many competitions, Johnson remains passionate about water polo and wants to continue inspiring others, especially children of color. She hopes to be a role model for young Black and brown girls and boys who may be interested in swimming and water polo. Johnson’s mother is proud of her daughter’s achievements but is most gratified by the personal growth she has seen in Ashleigh throughout her journey in the sport.
As Johnson looks ahead to the Paris Olympics and beyond, she remains focused on her goals while also contemplating her future outside of water polo. She values the privilege of being able to choose when to stop playing and is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Whether she continues in the sport or pursues a different path, Johnson’s legacy as a trailblazer in water polo is sure to inspire generations of athletes to come.
