Volleyball coach meets initial award criterion but fails to establish final merits. AAO found petitioner, though with experience on national teams, lacks sustained national or international acclaim and remains at intermediate career stage rather than top of field.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor claimed three criteria including major awards, published material, and membership. AAO affirmed awards and published material but found membership unmet due to automatic admission without expert judgment. Only two criteria met; appeal dismissed without final merits analysis.

Professional tennis player seeking extraordinary ability classification failed to establish either major award or three alternate criteria. Court found published material about competitive career insufficient since petitioner intended to work as coach, and salary comparison limited to Chinese players unconvincing. Appeal dismissed.

A pole fitness performer claimed extraordinary ability under EB-1A, meeting awards criterion initially but failing at final merits. The AAO withdrew the awards finding, determining competitions lacked national recognition and that the performer failed to demonstrate sustained acclaim or placement among the very top in her field.