These Are the Sports Stars in Asia to Know in 2021

Meet the cohort of stars of track, field, court and pitch honoured on the Gen.T list 2021

With record-breaking Olympic and Paralympic medal hauls, emerging stars and thrilling photo finishes, 2021 has given us a summer of sport to remember. Learn more about some of Asia’s sports stars––all honoured on the Gen.T List 2021. Find out how they’re breaking new ground: by representing their countries on the global stage, making esports more accessible to all, and more.

See also: The Gen.T List 2021 In Numbers: East Asia

1. Jasmine Shao-Man Chen

Above Jasmine Shao-Man Chen

Profession: Equestrian
Location: Taiwan

Jasmine Shao-Man Chen competed at her first Olympic Games this year in Tokyo, qualifying after topping the 2019 Olympic rankings for Southeast Asia and Oceania for the individual jumping event. The 32-year old athlete has been horseriding since she was eight and won a silver medal at her first Asian Games in 2006 when she was just 17.

2. Lee Zii Jia

Above Lee Zii Jia

Profession: Badminton Player
Location: Malaysia

Making history with his victory at the All England Open in March 2021––only the second Malaysian badminton player to ever do so––propelled Lee Zii Jia into the limelight earlier this year. The star, who comes from a line of professional basketball players, has been honing his craft from a young age, turning pro a decade ago at the age of 13.

3. Brendan Chong

Above Brendan Chong

Profession: CEO, Bren Esports
Location: Philippines

Combining his business background with his love for esports has helped Brendan Chong’s Bren Esports teams compete and win in multiple tournaments since 2017. Winning the top prizes at Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines Season 6 in October 2020, and at the M2 World Championship games in January 2021, the group has become a force to be reckoned with in Chong’s native Philippines and worldwide.

4. Snooky Wong and Milanie Bekker

Above Milanie Bekker

Above Snooky Wong

Profession: Co-founders, Madame Quad
Location: Hong Kong

The co-founders of Madame Quad are on a mission to help Hongkongers lace up their skates and discover the joy of exploring the city on four wheels. Their multi-level emporium in Causeway Bay––Asia’s first dedicated to all things skating––sells and advises on skate gear, holds beginner classes and hosts free meetups for Hong Kong skaters of all levels.

5. Linus Shen

Above Linus Shen

Profession: Founder and CEO, KA Women’s Esports Club
Location: China

A pioneer in China’s esports industry, Linus Shen is the founder of the country’s first women’s esports club and hopes to take the sport to the Olympics. Shen’s Gage Esports was a forerunner organisation of the Japan Esports Union when esports was a fledgling concept in Japan.

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Gen t generation t gen t 2021