Site Products
2021 US Junior Pan American Games Team

First 2021 US Junior Pan American Games Team

(By Joanna Sung)

When I first learned that I claimed a spot to represent USA at the Junior Pan American games, I knew that I had to cherish such a great opportunity. I spent afternoons training to polish my skills and prepare for the upcoming tournament. At night, I frantically tried to get ahead in my studies in order to fully focus during the tournament without any distractions.

The tournament, which took place in the Dominican Republic, proved to be one of the most tiring tournaments I ever played. Due to COVID, we all wore our masks for hours in a hot humid stadium. We left the hotel early in the morning and returned late at night. Every night, all the players had to stay up doing laundry as we went through many shirts because of the heat. Toward the end, I had little to no energy left to even wash my face in the mornings.

However, the tournament also proved to be one of the most fruitful and fulfilling experiences of my life. For the first time, Team USA sent four teams, a total of 16 players and three coaches. United, the team cheered passionately for the USA player and I felt that we really competed as a whole team instead of individual players. As for myself, I felt an immense sense of pride for managing to uphold my position as the third player in the final team match against Mexico. With our team tied 1-1 against Mexico, the third match I played proved to be especially crucial. I managed to play freely and with a competitive spirit to successfully take down the third match. Securing our position to compete at the World Juniors Championship, I felt extremely grateful towards my teammates and our coach, Gao Jun. As a team, we proudly stepped onto the first place podium with big smiles.

I’m very grateful to all the coaches and teammates’ continuous help throughout the tournament. Thank you also to Coach Zhang Tianrui at TTA as well for helping me train before the tournament, Team Spartans for letting me play so many practice matches with you all, and ICC for the friendly support. Lastly, thank you Butterfly for the awesome equipment that I used during the tournament and I will continue to train hard.

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

Nishant Lebaka – Backhand Loop Transition Play

July 30, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Nishant Lebaka is focusing on his Backhand Loop Transition play… Read More

Rogelio Castro – Serve & Shortgame Play

July 29, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rogelio Castro is focusing on a Serve, followed by a… Read More

Lift the Ball

July 28, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: 1 backspin serve robot will play 1 random backspin ball anywhere on the table, either Forehand… Read More

Freitas ALC + Dignics 09C + Dignics 05 – Need Mid-Distance Power?

July 28, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) In this video, Coach Brian Pace emphasizes the importance of finding the right equipment setup for… Read More

Consistency and Good Form Lead to Speed and Power

July 28, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Don’t be that guy who spends years smacking shots but also missing over and over,… Read More

Geovanny Coello – Gameplay Sequencing

July 28, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Geovanny Coello is working a player on Gameplay Sequencing https://youtu.be/zGRnfYszoWQ… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Central Florida Table Tennis Club

July 27, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) With its location near the junction of Highway 423 and 441, just northwest of downtown… Read More

Calderano Wins in Buenos Aires

July 27, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The WTT Contender Series visited Buenos Aires this week, and this Hemisphere’s best… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.