Sports
An anime series about competitive figure skating made me believe in queer joy
A scene from Yuri on Ice. (MAPPA) Emerging Queer Voices is a monthly LGBTQ arts and culture column that features different up-and-coming LGBTQ writers. You can read more about the series and find all published editions here. The first time I watched Yuri on Ice, I was sitting in my small apartment, thousands of kilometres from my hometown. I […]
Emerging Queer Voices is a monthly LGBTQ arts and culture column that features different up-and-coming LGBTQ writers. You can read more about the series and find all published editions here.
The first time I watched Yuri on Ice, I was sitting in my small apartment, thousands of kilometres from my hometown. I recall hitting play with casual curiosity. Just another show to fill time, I thought. I had no way of knowing that those 23 minutes would change something fundamental about me.
The beginning
As a non-binary bisexual person growing up in India, I grappled with the reality of being myself in worlds that hardly even recognized that I existed. The few queer stories I found — in infrequent books, while scouring the internet for fan fiction late at night — almost always ended in heartbreak, rejection or death. These stories taught me that suffering was the necessary cost of authenticity.
Yuri on Ice is an anime series about competitive figure skating, which centres around Yuri Katsuki, a talented but anxious Japanese skater who has hit rock bottom after a crushing defeat at the Grand Prix Finals. But his idol, Victor Nikiforov — a charismatic five-time world champion from Russia — sees a viral video of Yuri perfectly replicating one of Victor’s routines, and it’s not long before Victor unexpectedly arrives at Yuri’s family’s hot-spring resort to become his coach.
The 12-episode series takes place across an international skating season, as Yuri attempts to rebuild his confidence and career with Victor’s guidance. The show gained popularity for its detailed animation of skating sequences and authentic portrayal of the competitive figure-skating world.
When Victor first appeared on screen, I prepared for a familiar pattern: meaningful glances never acknowledged, tension never released or a connection tragically severed.
What I got instead was revolutionary. Episode after episode, Victor and Yuri’s relationship grew — not through coded gestures and plausible deniability, but through genuine emotional intimacy. When they exchanged rings toward the end of the series, I paused the video to wipe away tears. I needed a moment to process what I was witnessing: a promise of forever between two men, framed not as a punchline, but as a natural milestone in their journey together.
Mirrors in the most unlikely places
What struck me most was how Yuri and Victor’s story played out in the world of competitive figure skating, with its rigid gender roles. Having had to negotiate spaces defined by similarly strict gender norms in India, I understood the uneasy balance it took to thrive in these spheres.
I remembered how every style, linguistic and social choice, every topic of discourse, every friendship, was part of a complicated calculus of authenticity versus safety.
I noted the same survival strategies in Yuri. His anxiety, his careful way of moving through life, his simultaneous yearning for connection and terror of being vulnerable — these weren’t just character traits, but also coping mechanisms that felt all too familiar. Seeing him with Victor, making space for his entire self, reminded me of my own journey.
Between worlds
The cross-cultural relationship between Yuri and Victor struck another chord. In one scene, Victor tries to comfort Yuri before a competition, but only makes Yuri cry because he misreads cultural cues. That moment encapsulated countless experiences in my own life — the confusion, miscommunication and unintended pain of mixed-race connections.
As both characters learn, bridging cultures requires patience, clear communication and willingness to be vulnerable amid the confusion. The series captured this process with a nuance that echoed my lived experience of feeling out of place.
Finding myself in the in-between
I’ve come to view my identity as a mirror ball, reflecting many facets at once and formed by shards that don’t always align perfectly. I live in liminal spaces between traditional categories, belonging partially to many places, but fully to none.
Yuri on Ice articulated this existence with incredible clarity. The series itself defies categorization. It’s not quite sports anime and not quite romance. Victor and Yuri’s relationship crystallizes on the road — in hotel rooms, at airports, at foreign competitions — mirroring how many queer people, especially those with multiple marginalized identities, construct their homes in the in-between.
In the final episode, Yuri performs a routine that integrates everything he’s learned about himself, mixing what he has drawn from his cultural background with lessons from his relationship with Victor. Like Yuri, I too am the product of my culture, my gender expression and my professional and personal selves — not through compartmentalization but through integration.
Small shifts on sleep-deprived nights
One night, a week or so after I finished the series for the first time, I couldn’t sleep, and I rewatched the Cup of China episode in which Yuri overcomes the pressure of being in first place after the short program and performs well in his free skate. Victor, caught up in his emotions, kisses him live on international television. I remember replaying that scene at least five times, the blue glow from the screen bright in an otherwise dim room.
By the fourth playback, I understood that I was having an experience I couldn’t name on the spot because it was so unfamiliar. I was watching someone like me being loved openly, without shame or death. It was after midnight, and the realm outside my window was silent. But inside, I experienced a deep shift in what I felt was possible for me.
If Victor could kiss Yuri while the world looked on, perhaps I could stop shrinking my identity for someone else’s comfort. If their love could be celebrated instead of punished, maybe mine deserved to be honoured too. These were simple ideas, but for a person who was brought up on stories where queerness always comes at a price, they felt revolutionary.
From surviving to thriving
Before Yuri on Ice, engaging with queer media felt like harm reduction — noting the least tragic options, celebrating the slimmest slivers of representation. The bar was so low that vague subtext seemed like a win.
The success of the series demonstrated what many knew, but the industry hadn’t conceded: that viewers wanted stories about queer love that didn’t inevitably end in suffering. We’re not a niche market that will be content with occasional tokens; we’re viewers with a passionate investment in seeing ourselves not just surviving, but flourishing.
Yuri on Ice opened doors for anime like Given and Bloom Into You, which approach queer relationships with similar nuance. Even Western animation has evolved from coded to explicit queer representation, as in She-Ra and The Owl House.
Personal revolution
Years later, what remains most powerful for me is how the series reshaped what I believe to be possible, on screen and in my life. It helped me envision a future where complex identities aren’t barriers to connection, but pathways to deeper understanding. It taught me that stories about people like me don’t have to end in tragedy, that breaking boundaries related to gender, sexuality and culture can lead not just to survival, but to joy too.
Whenever I rewatch Victor and Yuri performing together in perfect harmony despite their differences, I reflect on the future I’m creating — one where differences can be embraced as the foundation of our relationships.
Yuri on Ice matters because it dared to imagine that future first. And in doing so, it helped me imagine it for myself.
Sports
Dos Pueblos Boys Water Polo Pulls Away for Win Over Arroyo Grande in Season Opener | Sports
A balanced offensive attack powered Dos Pueblos boys water polo to an 18-10 victory over Arroyo Grande in the season opener on Thursday at Elings Aquatic Center. The Chargers (1-0) had seven different players score goals, as every player got minutes on a roster that will feature impact players from all four grade levels this […]
A balanced offensive attack powered Dos Pueblos boys water polo to an 18-10 victory over Arroyo Grande in the season opener on Thursday at Elings Aquatic Center.
The Chargers (1-0) had seven different players score goals, as every player got minutes on a roster that will feature impact players from all four grade levels this season.
“Being able to rotate all the newer players through is really good for the team cohesiveness,” Dos Pueblos head coach Chris Parrish said. “What was great was when we had the juniors and the seniors sitting on the bench at the end of the game, they were cheering as loud as possible for the younger guys.
“We have a great blend on the team this year where we have a starting freshman goalie, we’ve got three other freshmen that are getting substantial minutes, we’ve got another three sophomores that are getting great minutes, and then we’ve got three juniors and three seniors.”
The Chargers wasted no time getting started, winning the opening sprint and immediately turning it into points as senior Eli Carnaghe found junior Lucas Neushul for the first goal of the season.
After a few minutes of back-and-forth play, Dos Pueblos tripled its lead with goals on back-to-back possessions.
On the first score, senior Aricin Marshall fed a wide-open junior Grant Nelson to make it 2-0. After a defensive stop, DP freshman goalie Koa Zertuche lobbed a pass ahead to fellow freshman Channing Wigo, who deposited the shot for his first high school goal.
“Koa has been great and he’s become a part of the team really quickly,” Parrish said of his goalie. “Channing is a wealth of talent. He’s really savvy in the water, and we know he’s going to bring a different aspect to our game.”
Arroyo Grande responded with a pair of goals of its own to cut the Charger lead to 3-2 with 2:43 left in the quarter. Dos Pueblos came back with another goal of its own as Marshall found Neushul in the middle for his second score of the day.
After the Eagles scored on a penalty shot, Marshall got into the scoring column off an assist from Carnaghe, scoring from the right side to bring the lead to 5-3.
Arroyo Grande came roaring back in the final minute of the opening quarter, scoring twice to even the game at 5-5 heading into the second.
The Chargers came out of the break on a mission, rattling off a 4-0 run in the opening three minutes of the second quarter to pull away for a 9-5 advantage.
Dos Pueblos’ offensive balance was on full display during the run as four different players scored. Neushul, Carnage, Wigo and Nelson all secured multi-goal performances with goals to begin the quarter, with assists coming from junior Adam Gelman and Neushul.
The majority of Dos Pueblos’ second-quarter goals came off strong defensive stops on the other end, allowing the offense to get out in transition.
“The important part is that these guys are playing a little bit of defense, because all of them want to go score goals, and quite frankly, a lot of the guys are really used to knowing that three quarters of the possessions another team has against them are going to end up in a steal or a bad shot,” Parrish said.
“They find themselves just kind of eager, waiting for that whistle to just get out in the transition… The problem is, we’ve got to make sure the ball doesn’t go in the goal before they decide to go into offense. That’s the next step.”
The Eagles got on the board with 3:53 left in the half, but the Chargers immediately regained control as Carnaghe beat a trio of defenders and Neushul scored on a pass from freshman Skyler Carroll to give both players a first-half hat trick.
“Eli Carnaghe is going to find some open space in the pool, especially where he ends up playing on the offensive end because Lucas, Channing, and Grant are going to occupy so much of the attention of another team’s defense, that he’s gonna be able to get their shots off,” Parrish said.
Neushul deposited one more goal before the half expired, while Arroyo Grande found the back of the cage as well to bring the DP lead to 12-7 at the half.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair as the two teams exchanged three goals apiece throughout the period.
The Chargers’ three goals came courtesy of Wigo, Nelson and Neushul with assists from Nelson and sophomore Ty Abel. Wigo and Nelson’s goals came in transition, while Neushul’s gave his team a 15-10 lead with one quarter to play.
Dos Pueblos took full control in the fourth quarter, shutting out the Eagles on the defensive end and adding on three goals to bring the game to its final score of 18-10.
Nelson, sophomore Tyler Racine and Abel all scored in the final quarter to put the cherry on top of the season-opening victory. Racine was the seventh and final Charger to score in the win.
“What I really want to see is some balance, and I want to see everyone comfortable and confident being able to take that shot, because it’s not always going to be Grant [Nelson] and it’s not always going to be Lucas [Neushul],” Parrish said.
“There’s only 12 field players, so if seven or eight are scoring, it’s hard to guard us.”
Sports
Northeastern volleyball hopes for comeback
Northeastern women’s volleyball is set to kick off its season with the Holly Young Invitational Aug. 29 to 30 in Durham, N.H. The Huskies are slotted against Saint Peter’s University, Holy Cross University and the University of New Hampshire. During the offseason, the Huskies announced that Brendan McGourn would be the team’s new head coach, […]
Northeastern women’s volleyball is set to kick off its season with the Holly Young Invitational Aug. 29 to 30 in Durham, N.H. The Huskies are slotted against Saint Peter’s University, Holy Cross University and the University of New Hampshire.
During the offseason, the Huskies announced that Brendan McGourn would be the team’s new head coach, and Jaime Snyder was named associate head coach for this season. The changes came after a difficult season for the Huskies, finishing with a 10-16 overall and 8-10 in the CAA and a missed CAA tournament.
In addition to new coaches, the Huskies are starting fresh with a completely different roster. Northeastern acquired seven freshmen, one redshirt freshman and one graduate student after six players from last season’s team graduated. Last season’s leaders in kills, blocks and assists are now gone, leaving senior libero Nadia Koanui as the only category leader in digs and service aces.
Graduate student outside hitter Svenja Rodenbüsch and redshirt freshman outside hitter Valentina Meirelles are the Huskies’ only additions with previous experience on a college court. Meirelles appeared in five matches for the University of California San Diego before missing the rest of the season due to injury. However, she showed promise, tallying six kills in each of her first two games. Rodenbüsch won two national championships in Germany and was an NJCAA All-American in 2022 before ending her undergraduate career at Fairfield University. At Fairfield, Rodenbüsch averaged 1.78 kills and 1.27 digs per set, as well as 53 blocks last season. In the first round of the NCAA playoffs for the last two years, Rodenbüsch led her team in kills.
Koanui, incoming sophomore setter Gabby Reeves and incoming sophomore outside hitter Brynn Smith are going to be key parts of the team’s success, carrying on their legacy from last season. Koanui was first on the team in digs with 459, first in service aces with 23 and third in assists with 96. Reeves ranked fifth in digs, fourth in assists with 72 and third in service aces with 18. Smith was fourth on the team in kills and fifth on the team in aces, with 168 and 13, respectively.
The Huskies begin conference play Sept. 19 at Stony Brook University and have their first home game Sept. 26 against Towson University at Cabot Center.
Sports
About Town Redondo: Home invasion, arrests; ocean water polo, Post Office upgrade
About Town Redondo: Home invasion, arrests; ocean water polo, Post Office upgrade – Easy Reader & Peninsula Magazine Skip to content Police catch, arrest home invasion suspects Responding to a pre-6 a.m. disconnected 911 call about someone pointing a gun at another inside a car Aug. 17, Redondo […]
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Police catch, arrest home invasion suspects
Responding to a pre-6 a.m. disconnected 911 call about someone pointing a gun at another inside a car Aug. 17, Redondo Beach Police officers tracked the report to the 1900 block of Matthews Avenue.
Officers canvassed the area, learning that two residents had been victims of a home invasion, and the suspects fled on foot just before police arrived. Officers gave chase and took the two men into custody without incident.
Jesus Velez, 31, from Rochester, New York and Draven Luna, 21, Queens, New York, were arrested and charged with robbery, burglary and kidnapping. Bail for each was set at $100,000.
RBPD detectives now prepare to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The two victims were treated at the scene by the Redondo Beach Fire Department and taken to a hospital, listed in stable condition. Their identities were withheld as the RBPD investigates the specific circumstances and motives of the incident.
Detectives believe there are no outstanding suspects, and no further threat to the community.
Anyone with information regarding the alleged crime is asked to contact RBPD Detective Coates at (310) 379-2477, ext. 3506.
King Harbor ocean water polo tournament coming; boat parade route expands
Ocean water polo in King Harbor will debut Sept. 20. A tournament with up to 10 teams, including at least two women’s, is set for a demonstration which may become an annual event.
Earlier this year, a water polo club approached Redondo Beach Mayor Jim Light about the idea, following a previous attempt at such an event by Redondo Beach Firefighter Grant Currie.
The Sept. 20 tournament is meant as a proof-of concept, said the mayor, the idea being to approve a long-term event. Currie and Vedran Kaluderovic – City Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic’s husband, a longtime water polo player – are working together to organize the brackets.
Courts will be set up in the water between Riviera Mexican Grill and California Surf Club, a short-term location to take advantage of better spectator vantage points, before the proposed boat ramp goes in at the spot. Courts in the future are slated to be near the Joe’s Crab Shack site.
Ocean water polo is established in Europe but rare in the United States.
“We’re trying to activate the waterfront,” said City Councilman Chadwick Castle. “We want to draw more people down so we can all use and enjoy it.”
In addition, King Harbor Yacht Club’s “Holiday Boat Parade” will have a new route in December, to go closer to the Pier and the corner by Riviera Mexican Cantina, to make it more spectator-friendly.
“This is the only parade we have in Redondo Beach,” Castle said.
Post Office upgrades sorting and delivery center
The U.S. Postal Service has announced an update to the Redondo Beach Sorting and Delivery Center, to aid in operational precision and improve service performance.
“These new, state-of-the-art facilities will help make the Postal Service more efficient, more capable and more competitive for the future,” said Brian Cuellar, Redondo Beach Postmaster. “The investments we’ve made here represent more than just an upgrade; they represent a commitment to our employees, our customers and the future of the Postal Service.”
The modernized, local sorting and delivery center is one of 111 recently launched across the country, as part of a $19 billion investment to revitalize USPS processing, transportation and delivery networks. ER