14 Gen Z Athletes Who Are Crushing It In Fashion
These all-stars are on top of their game in more ways than one.
By Emma Ashlee Goh ,
Sports have become fashion's latest obsession, with athletes across diverse disciplines stepping into the spotlight as influential brand ambassadors. Sports documentaries like Break Point and Drive to Survive on Netflix have made these sports stars more accessible, intensifying the focus on athletes like never before. With the 2024 Summer Olympics on the horizon, all eyes are on athletes from various nations and sports. Read on for our picks of Gen Z sports stars, loved by their peers and part of the generation themselves. Whether for their fashion flair or athletic prowess, these athletes are the ones to watch.
COCO GAUFF, 20
Nationality: American
Sport: Tennis
Why know her: Just last year, at 19, Gauff won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open. Not only is she currently the second-best-ranked female tennis player in the world, but she’s also a budding entrepreneur. Recently, she extended a partnership with the American shipping brand UPS to create a campaign called "Coco vs. The Doubters," which spotlights Gen Z entrepreneurs overcoming the difficult odds of running a profitable business. She's also a Rolex Testimonee, a title given by the watch brand to celebrities who endorse its products. If you can’t believe she’s doing all this at just 20 years old, check out her popular TikTok account, where she proves herself to be a true Gen Z with an array of fit checks and day-in-the-life videos.
CHO GUE-SUNG, 26
Nationality: South Korean
Sport: Football
Why know him: If you were on social media during last year’s Qatar World Cup, you probably already know him. The forward for South Korea’s national team and Danish Superliga club Midtjylland went viral for his attractiveness, flooding TikTok feeds with clips and edits of him. No matter what he was doing—drinking water or simply walking around the pitch—the internet found his ordinary activities irresistibly sexy. Before the tournament, Cho had fewer than 50,000 followers, but now he has accumulated a whopping two million. It's easy to see why, as his feed showcases his ability to look like both a star athlete and an off-duty model.
EILEEN GU, 20
Nationality: Chinese
Sport: Ski
Why know her: If you think you haven’t accomplished enough at your age, Gu’s story certainly won’t make you feel any better. At 18, she became the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing, winning two gold medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. She was also the first female to win three medals in her debut X Games appearance and juggles her intense training with her studies at Stanford University. Now working with brands like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., we’re sure that if you googled the word ‘overachiever’, Gu’s picture would show up.
SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER, 26
Nationality: Canadian
Sport: Basketball
Why know him: Dubbed by TikTok as one of the "best-dressed athletes," the Canadian basketball player is no stranger to fashion, even walking the runway at Thom Browne's spring 2023 menswear show. The star athlete has also graced the Met Gala carpet twice, the second time wearing a Thom Browne ensemble (pictured) that sent the internet into a frenzy. With his 1.98m stature, the basketball player effortlessly pulls off the sophisticated streetwear styles he is known for online. While his style has evolved over time, Gilgeous-Alexander has been a style icon ever since he was a rookie player. He was even the face of Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton x NBA collection back in 2020.
LILY MUNI HE, 25
Nationality: Chinese
Sport: Golf
Why know her: One glance at her Instagram profile easily explains her popularity. The golfer, who plays on the US-based Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, boasts over 880K followers on Instagram and 385.2K on TikTok. On these platforms, she showcases her life as an athlete and her personal style. She is also unafraid to flaunt her relationship with Williams F1 driver Alex Albon. The two are the latest power couple in sports, and she is frequently spotted at the F1 paddock, supporting her boyfriend with impeccable style.
JANNIK SINNER, 22
Nationality: Italian
Sport: Tennis
Why know him: The tennis player is, at the time of publication, ranked World No. 1 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals, surpassing legends like Djokovic and rising stars like Alcaraz. Before his standout 2024 season, which included his first Grand Slam win at the 2024 Australian Open, Sinner made headlines for challenging Wimbledon’s “all white” dress code. He appeared on court with a Gucci monogrammed duffel bag, signalling a potential shift in the attitudes and rankings of the newer generation of athletes. Since then, the Gucci brand ambassador has enjoyed an almost unbeatable season and is set to compete in his first Summer Olympics, representing Italy. His biggest coup with Gucci to date was appearing in a paparazzi-style campaign in May, which featured him carrying two custom duffle bags at the US Open and the Nitto ATP Finals.
SUNISA LEE, 21
Nationality: American
Sport: Gymnastics
Why know her: Because she's set for an epic comeback at this Summer's Olympics. If you followed the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, you’re likely familiar with the record-breaking Suni Lee. Lee made history as the first Asian American to win Olympic gold in the women's all-around competition, winning the admiration of fans worldwide. Since then, she has faced significant challenges. In April 2023, she announced a break from college gymnastics due to an incurable kidney disease. Now, over a year later, Lee has successfully qualified for the five-member team competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics, and we eagerly anticipate her defence of the individual title at the Games.
CHARLES LECLERC, 26
Nationality: Monegasque
Sport: F1
Why know him: Not only is this racing driver one of the most promising talents of his generation—with a contract with Ferrari extending until the end of 2026, surpassing legends like his former teammate Vettel—but he is also an aspiring musician, recently releasing compositions inspired by his racing experiences. Next year, he will be paired with the legendary Lewis Hamilton, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 racing season. Currently ranked third in the standings for this year's F1 season at the time of publication, he also maintains a long-standing relationship with the watch brand Richard Mille and is often seen in the F1 paddock sporting his custom RM 67-02, aptly named after himself. He’s also a TikTok favourite, thanks to his expert driving skills, humble personality, and, of course, his attractive looks.
CHLOE KIM, 24
Nationality: American
Sport: Snowboard
Why know her: Becoming the youngest-ever gold medallist at the X Games, Korean-American Kim achieved this milestone at just 15. Three years later, she secured gold at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, becoming the youngest female Olympic gold medallist in her sport's history. After competing in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Kim took a break from competitive snowboarding, returning to the sport in January of this year. Upon her return, she demonstrated that she was still a formidable competitor by becoming the first woman in history to successfully execute a ‘1260’ in an organised competition, involving 3.5 rotations in mid-air. For a glimpse into her life, visit her Instagram, where she shares moments from her athletic journey, including event appearances and her recent comeback since the Beijing Olympics.
JUDE BELLINGHAM, 21
Nationality: English
Sport: Football
Why know him: Bellingham, the midfielder for La Liga's Real Madrid and the England national team, is widely regarded as one of the most promising young players in the world. His transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid last summer cost a staggering €105 million, underscoring his immense value. In 2023, he clinched both the Golden Boy and the Kopa Trophy, prestigious awards for male footballers under 21. Beyond his prowess on the pitch, Bellingham effortlessly impresses with his off-field fashion sense when not in his traditional football kit. He’s also a fan favourite online, admired for both his incredible gameplay—such as his epic last-minute goal in the recent England vs Slovakia Euro Cup game—and his striking looks.
ARIKE OGUNBOWALE, 27
Nationality: American
Sport: Basketball
Why know her: Ogunbowale from the Dallas Wings is a standout basketball player renowned for both her shooting skills and fashion sense. As one of the WNBA’s top shooters and a clutch performer in critical moments, Arike is also celebrated for her impeccable tunnel fashion, making her a go-to source for androgynous tomboy style inspiration. In 2023, the Nigerian-born athlete collaborated with Nike to design her own custom Nike G.T. Cut 2 sneakers.
JALEN GREEN, 22
Nationality: American
Sport: Basketball
Why know him: He's a basketball prodigy who completed his high school career and chose to bypass college basketball to join the National Basketball Association (NBA) G League Ignite team, a developmental squad, in its inaugural season. Eventually, Green was drafted second overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft. In 2024, he achieved a career-high 42 points, along with 10 rebounds and three assists, leading his team to a 137–114 victory over the Washington Wizards. With a keen off-court fashion sense that complements his on-court skills, this 20-year-old is set for even greater accomplishments in his career.
BIANCA BUSTAMANTE, 19
Nationality: Filipina
Sport: F1
Why know her: In 2022, Bustamante became the first Filipino racing driver to compete in the W Series, the premier women’s motorsport event. Having started kart racing at the age of five, she is now a member of the ART Grand Prix team, one of the top junior teams, where she competes in the F1 Academy series, a women-only racing championship. This achievement is particularly notable in a male-dominated sport. She was also recently announced as part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
SHUYU YANG, 22
Nationality: Chinese
Sport: Basketball
Why know her: At just 19 years old, she made her mark at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 3x3 basketball. With over 3 million followers on Weibo (China's equivalent of Twitter), Yang quickly rose to national fame. Beyond her athletic achievements, Yang's influence extends into the world of fashion, having been named one of Prada's new brand ambassadors in 2023. Her versatility on and off the court, coupled with her rapid rise to prominence, makes her a standout figure in both sports and culture.