International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women across the world. Female athletes in the United States significantly contribute to their respective activities. There are a few up-and-coming female competitors carrying the torch of US sporting legends. Here are rising star female athletes from the US to keep an eye on in 2023.
1. Naomi Girma – Soccer
Naomi Girma is a rising star in the world of soccer and is someone worth following in 2023. Last year the San Diego Wave star won Rookie of the Year, was named Defender of the Year and earned a spot among the NWSL’s Best XI. And many media sources predict that this will be her breakthrough World Cup season.
2. Rhyne Howard – Basketball
The WNBA Rookie of the Year honor culminated Howard’s outstanding 2022. She’s the Shooting Guard for the Atlanta Dream, WNBA. She was selected first out of Kentucky in the April selection, and from May to August, she was named Rookie of the Month, making her an inspiring athlete to watch in 2023.
3. Jordan Chiles – Gymnastics
Jordan played a significant part in the team, earning gold at the World Championships in 2022 after helping the United States to a team silver at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Jordan Chiles’ career-best all-around score led No. 5 UCLA women’s gymnastics last week. She’s one to watch as the 2024 Olympic cycle approaches.
4. Kate Douglass – Swimming
In collegiate swimming history, Kate produced the best individual effort in three different races using three different strokes and distances. The senior from Virginia backed up that effort at the World Championships by taking home three medals, including bronze in the 200-meter breaststroke. In December 2022, she took home two gold medals and seven additional trophies at the short-course World Championships.
5. Chloe Kim – Snowboarding
Kim had a great 2022, successfully defending her Olympic halfpipe crown at the Beijing Olympics and plans to compete again at the 2026 Olympics. She will become the first woman ever to win three Olympic gold medals in snowboarding if she once again finishes on top of the platform at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Kim took a break from the show last season to focus on her mental health, but we’ll see her back shortly, shredding the snow.
6. Athing Mu – Running
Following her impressive Olympic performance in 2021, Athing maintained her streak in 2022 and won the 800m world championship. She became the first American woman to win the 800m world championship and the youngest woman in history in a solo track and field competition. Mu’s three-year winning run on the outdoor track dates back to September 2019. In 2023, expect her to rule the track once again.
7. Taylor Heise – Ice hockey
Taylor Heise, the Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s hockey team captain, started her fifth year at Minnesota strong. She debuted at the 2022 World Championship with a bang for Team USA and bagged the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Trophy recipient for 2022. Heise topped the competition after seven rounds on his way to the silver medal. Both Best Forward and Tournament MVP were given to her.
8. Rose Zhang – Golf
Last year Rose Zhang was the biggest newsmaker. She came with force in 2022 and quickly dominated every game. After all, Zhang winning “Amateur Player of the Player” wasn’t exactly a shocker. Zhang topped the world amateurs ranking for two years in a row. Look out for Zhang to make another spectacular season this year.
9. Coco Gauff – Tennis
Last year, Gauff quickly rose to a career-high world No. 1 rating in pairs and a career-high No. 4 ranking in singles. She qualified for the WTA Championships in October, making history as the youngest solo player since Maria Sharapova in 2005. Gauff is only 18 years old and has not yet won a championship, but she is very well on her way.
10. Isabeau Levito – Figure skating
In October 2022, Levito competed in her first Grand Prix, placing second to Japanese world winner Kaori Sakamoto. Since Caroline Zhang in 2007, she was the youngest American to advance to the Grand Prix Final. Levito will be someone to monitor this year and in the years to come because she has the Olympics in 2026 as her goal.
Despite the numerous chances for brands to be involved, the disparity between women’s and men’s sports regarding coverage and sponsorship is huge. Every sports industry personnel must participate in a positive feedback loop to promote women’s sports. Starting with the organizations, the press, the contest organizers, and the supporters.
iSportz Sports Management and Engagement Platform helps sports organizations focus on women athletes and their performance management. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us continue to support and uplift all female athletes and their achievements.
