Asian Sport Celebrity

This book explores the multi-faceted construction of what it means to be Asian from the perspectives of race, ethnicity, and regionality, examining the relationship between sport celebrity and the representation of Asia in the twenty-first century. It is essential for those interested in socio-cultural issues such as globalization, transnationalism, migration, modernity, (post-)coloniality, gender politics, spectacle, citizenship, Orientalism, and nationalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive collection of nine essays explores the multifaceted construction of what it means to be Asian from the perspectives of race, ethnicity, and regionality. The essays, which are based on research conducted in Australia, Belgium, China, Japan, New Zealand, North Korea, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, shed light on the diverse experiences and identities of Asian sport celebrities.

Sport celebrity, as a modern phenomenon, has spread from the West to Asia, carrying with it the functions of symbolizing specific values, desires, and personalities that are idolized and idealized within their respective societies. Historically, Asian athletes have often been portrayed as weak, fragile, and biologically "unsuited to modern sport." However, the emergence of more than a few world-class Asian athletes in the twenty-first century has prompted an urgent need to investigate the relationship between sport celebrity and the representation of Asia.

This book is of paramount importance for those who are interested in a wide range of socio-cultural issues, including globalization, transnationalism, migration, modernity, (post-)coloniality, gender politics, spectacle, citizenship, Orientalism, and nationalism. It provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape the lives and careers of Asian sport celebrities and their role in shaping the broader cultural landscape of Asia.

Originally published as a special issue of The International Journal of the History of Sport, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and analysis that will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and students alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367695330