Dubbed one of the toughest sports on the planet, water polo combines the endurance of swimming, the physicality of wrestling, and the strategy of basketball - all while treading water. It’s brutal, relentless, and uncompromising.
That’s why the USA Men’s National Water Polo Team’s bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics was so historic. After years off the podium, this achievement marks a powerful return and signals growing momentum as the team sets it's sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Behind this success is more than countless hours in the pool. Yoga, often overlooked in high-performance athletics, has become a vital component of the team’s preparation. For the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working with these elite athletes, tailoring yoga practices to meet the specific demands of their sport. This month, Hannah Chu co-facilitated the yoga offerings for the team, further strengthening this integrative approach.