by Andy Liu
In July and August 2024, BTT members Andy Liu and James Yang volunteered at the Matchpoint Table Tennis Club's summer camp. They assisted junior players with drills, taught techniques, and supported them during matches. Additionally, they summarized lessons and shared their experiences. During the Olympics year, Andy enjoyed watching key matches with the club players. Both Andy and James received commendations from the club coaches and were well received by the campers.
BTT Volunteered:
Andy Liu: July 29 - August 30, total 30 hours
James Yang: August 5 - August 9, total 15 hours
by BTT
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The 2024 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Pan American U11 & U13 Championships, held from August 18 to August 25, showcased the remarkable talents of young players from across the continent. Among the standout performers was Emma Yang, a 6th grader from Mount Pleasant Middle School in Livingston, who brought home an impressive haul of three Gold medals and one Bronze for Team USA.
Emma Yang's dominant performance began with a Gold in the U11 Girls' Singles category. She triumphed in the Round of Sixteen with a decisive 3-0 victory over Guatemala's Roselin Vasquez. Continuing her strong showing, Emma defeated Pierina Carrasco of Peru 3-0 in the Quarter-finals. In the Semi-finals, she faced Mariana Sanchez from Colombia, who had caused an upset by defeating the top seed from Canada. Emma quickly adapted to Sanchez's style and secured a 3-1 win to advance to the Final. There, she clinched the Gold by narrowly edging out her teammate, Shreya Venkateraman, with a 3-2 victory.
Beyond her singles success, Emma played a key role in Team USA’s victories in the U11 Girls' Doubles and U11 Girls' Teams events, earning two additional Gold medals. She also secured a Bronze medal in the U11 Mixed Doubles. Her outstanding performance at the Pan Am Championships earned her a spot as one of only three American girls selected for the prestigious 2024 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge in Asuncion, Paraguay. This event will bring together 20 girls from around the world for elite training and competition.
by Max Liu
The 2024 US Table Tennis Nationals Tournament concluded on July 7, 2024 with outstanding performances from Behind The Table (BTT) members. The tournament, held in Huntsville, Alabama, attracted several hundreds of players from all over the country and saw fierce competition. Still, BTT players rose to the occasion, securing top positions across various events.
Emma Yang:
Emma Yang emerged as a standout performer across multiple events, marking her as a rising star in table tennis.
Under 11 Mixed Doubles: Yang, alongside partner Even Dong, triumphed in the event, taking home a gold medal.
Under 11 Girls Singles: Yang secured second place, demonstrating exceptional talent and competitive spirit.
Under 13 Girls Doubles: Teaming up with Tanvi Desai, Yang once again showcased her versatility and talent, securing third place.
Emma Yang and Rassi Zhou:
Under 11 Girls Doubles: Yang and Zhou clinched third place. The duo's synergy and coordinated gameplay were evident, earning them a well-deserved spot on the podium.
Emma Yang and Rassi Zhou clinched 3rd place in Under 11 Doubles
Ishan Randgal:
Under 1800 Singles: Ishan Randgal showcased remarkable skill and determination in the event, securing a commendable third place.
Andy Liu, James Yang, and Max Liu, all BTT members, also performed well during the tournament. The 2024 US Table Tennis Nationals Tournament was a significant event for BTT members. Their impressive performances reflect their dedication and skill in the supportive and competitive environment fostered by BTT. As they continue to train and compete, the future looks promising for these young athletes.
by Max Liu
Andy Liu, vice presedent of BTT, secured the champion for U2200 event in the recent Westchester Table Tennis Center June 2024 Open. There were 19 groups of a total of 75 players for this event on Saturday, June 29, and Liu stayed dominant through 8 consecutive matches, including the final.
by BTT
Congratulations to Emma Yang, a BTT honor member, who reached the semifinals in the U11 girls singles category at the WTT Youth Contender Westchester 2024. Under the guidance of James Yang, co-founder and president of BTT, Yang made her debut in the WTT series, competing alongside participants from across the globe. She had a great time at the events and forged new friendships with a lot of players.
by Max Liu
Andy Liu, VP of BTT, secured the championship title in the U2250 event of this tournament. From the outset, Liu demonstrated an unwavering focus and played strategic and precise shots that left his opponents struggling to keep pace. He made several decisive wins at match points, which contributed to his momentum and confidence. After winning six consecutive matches, Liu advanced into the final with a player with a higher rating than him. Liu maintained his composure under pressure, executing his game plan flawlessly. The 3-0 score line in the final match was a clear reflection of his dominance throughout the tournament.
Rassi Zhou, an honor member of BTT won her very first champion title in the U1200 event of this tournament and third place in the U1000 event. In the U1200 event semi-final, Zhou initially trailed 0-2 but staged a comeback to win the third game 21-19. Inspired by this effort and success, she secured victories in the next two games and eventually won the championship by 3-2.
Emma Yang, an honor member of BTT claimed the Girls' U11 Singles championship with little surprise.