Oakland-born figure skater Alysa Liu won the Best Breakthrough Athlete Award at the 2026 ESPYs on July 15, marking a triumphant return to the sport after a two-year hiatus focused on mental health, while Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was separately honored with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.

Liu's historic win at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City comes on the heels of her double gold medal performance at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, solidifying her status as a global icon and highlighting a personal journey that nearly saw her leave competitive skating. Meanwhile, Curry's recognition at a distinct ceremony underscored his ongoing commitment to youth development through his Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation in his adopted hometown of Oakland.

Oakland-born figure skater Alysa Liu won the Best Breakthrough Athlete Award at the 2026 ESPYs on July 15 at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City. Liu's accomplishment follows her remarkable comeback to competitive ice skating after taking a two-year break to prioritize her mental health. She notably secured two gold medals—in Women's Singles and the Mixed Team event—at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming the first American woman to win Olympic singles gold since 2002.

In her acceptance speech, Liu shared the profound personal significance of the award. "First of all, I'm really honored to be given this award," Liu said. "I've been in my sport since I was 5 years old, and I had some really rough times in it. I took two years off. So, for me, this really feels like I broke through in my own way, for myself and for my sport." Her candid reflection resonated deeply, underscoring the challenges she overcame to reach this pinnacle of athletic recognition.

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry also received significant recognition, earning the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. This distinct honor was presented to Curry at the Sports Humanitarian Awards ceremony held on July 14, 2026, at Gotham Hall in New York City. Curry was celebrated for his persistent dedication to community upliftment through the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Ayesha Curry. The foundation focuses on supporting youth development in Oakland by investing in community-driven programming.

Curry, reflecting on his deep connection to the city that embraced him, stated, "Oakland is our adoptive hometown. Where I spent the first 10 years with the Warriors, where we won our first three championships and where Aisha and I grew up as adults in so many ways. And we want to be able to make sure that every kid has the help it needs to thrive and to have the best childhood possible. And that's something that's priceless." His words highlighted the foundation's mission to ensure that every child has the resources to succeed, reinforcing the profound impact of their efforts in the Oakland community.

The KTVU report initially covered both athletes, recognizing their representation of Oakland at the prestigious sporting events. The dual recognition of Liu's athletic prowess and Curry's humanitarian dedication showcased Oakland's vibrant presence on a national stage.