Rio 2016 Olympic Games - TABLE TENNIS - ULTM

Rio 2016 Olympic GamesTABLE TENNIS

PLAYER BIOGRAPHIESWOMEN

Rio 2016 Olympic GamesTable Tennis Event

06-17 August 2016, Riocentro Pavilion 3


17 August 2016, Riocentro Pavilion 3

pg. 2

1. DING Ning

Country: ChinaQualification method: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Silver, 2012 Women’s Team GoldNo. Of Olympic Appearances (incl Rio): 2World Ranking: 2 Age: 26Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Beijing, China Career highlights: 2011 & 2015 World ChampionInteresting story: Nicknamed “Big Baby”, Ding is well liked by fansdue to her bubbly character. If Ding Ning wins in Rio, she willcomplete the table tennis grand slam.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/Dingningofficial/Weibo: @

2. FENG Tianwei

Country: SingaporeQualification method: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Bronze, 2008 Women’s Team SilverOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 4 Age: 29Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: SingaporeCareer Highlights: 2012 Olympics Women’s Team Bronze, 2010 World Team ChampionInteresting story: Feng led the Singapore team to the Women’steam finals during the 2008 Olympics, which was her first everOlympic outing. This was Singapore’s first ever medal of any kindafter 48 years.Social Media Accounts: Weibo: @

Rio2016.com/table-tennis #Olympic #TableTennis ITTF.com





pg. 3

3. LI Xiaoxia

Country: ChinaQualification method: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Gold, 2012 Women’s Team GoldOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 5 Age: 28Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Beijing, China Career Highlights: 2012 Olympic Champion, 2013 World ChampionInteresting story: Captain of the Chinese Women’s table tennisteam, Li completed the table tennis grand slam after becoming the2013 World Champion, and aims to defend her Olympic title in Rio.Her favorite color is pink. Li has the habit of writing diaries of hertraining to push herself forward.Social Media Accounts: Weibo: @

4. Kasumi ISHIKAWA

Country: JapanQualification method: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women Singles 4th Place, 2012 Women’s Team SilverOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 6Age: 23Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Tokyo, JapanCareer Highlights: 2014 & 2016 World Championships Women’s Team Silver, 2015 World Championships Mixed Doubles Silver, 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals ChampionInteresting story: In 2012, Ishikawa and her teammates createdhistory as they became the first Japanese table tennis players to wina medal at the Olympic Games.






pg. 4

5. Ai FUKUHARA

Country: Japan Qualification method: World Ranking PlacesBest OG performance: 2012 Women’s Singles QuarterfinalistOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 4Word Ranking: 7Age: 27Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackCareer Highlights: 2012 Olympic Women’s Team Silver, 2016 World Championships Women’s Team Silver, Interesting story: Fukuhara received lots of media attention fromthe age of 3, taking part in exhibition events and televisionprogrammes. She was deemed child prodigy in Japan, as she oftenbeat older players during tournaments.Social Media Accounts: Weibo: @ !"#$%$&'('

6. HAN Ying

Country: GermanyQualification method: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1 World Ranking: 8Age: 33Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceResidence: Düsseldorf, GermanyCareer Highlights: 2015 European Team ChampionInteresting stories: Han reached her career high ranking of 8th inOctober 2015, after winning the Austrian Open. She is also a motherof one daughter.






pg. 5

7. JEON Jihee

Country: Republic of KoreaQualification method: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 11Age: 23Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Seoul, Korea RepublicCareer Highlights: 2014 Asian Games Mixed Doubles Bronze, 4 ITTF World Tour titlesInteresting stories: Jeon started playing table tennis under theinfluence of her dad, who is a table tennis coach.

8. CHENG I-Ching

Country: Chinese TaipeiQualification method: World Ranking placesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 12Age: 24Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Taipei, Chinese TaipeiCareer Highlights: 2016 WTTC Women’s Team Bronze, 2016 ITTF World Tour Japan Open Women’s Singles SemifinalistInteresting stories: After missing out on the previous OlympicGames due to injury, Cheng stated that the 4 year wait to Rio hasbeen difficult.






pg. 6

9. YU Mengyu

Country: SingaporeQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 15Age: 26Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: SingaporeCareer Highlights: 2015 World Championships Women’s Doubles Bronze, 2010 World Team ChampionInteresting stories: Yu started playing table tennis at the age of 5because her parents felt that playing sports will help her strengthenher body and her immune system.Social Media Accounts: Weibo: @ )!*+,

10. Petrissa SOLJA

Country: GermanyQualification method: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 16Age: 22Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: -.(/& '01)&2"34152(0'36Career Highlights: 2015 Women’s World Cup BronzeInteresting stories: Solja’s breakthrough year was in 2015, whenshe beat several top players to reach the German Open final, andduring the Women’s World Cup.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/PetrissaSoljahttp://instagram.com/petisolja






pg. 7

11. SUH Hyowon

Country: Republic of KoreaQualification method: World Ranking placesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 17Age: 29Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceResidence: Seoul, Korea RepublicCareer Highlights: 3 ITTF World Tour titlesInteresting stories: When Suh was 20, she had surgery to repair aherniated disc in her back. She looks up to Hyun Jung Hwa, whowon the 1988 Olympics Women’s’ Doubles.Social Media Accounts: http://instagram.com/seohyowon_

12. LI Jie

Country: NetherlandsQualification: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s’ Singles Round of 16OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 21Age: 32Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceResidence: Arnhem, NetherlandsCareer Highlights: 2015 World Championships Women’s’ DoublesBronzeInteresting stories: After giving birth in late 2013, Li came backstronger and partnered Li Qian (POL) to a bronze medal at the 2015World Championships.






pg. 8

13. DOO Hoi Kem

Country: Hong KongQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World ranking: 23Age: 19 Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Hong KongCareer Highlights: 2014 Youth Olympics SilverInteresting stories: Youngest in the Hong Kong team, Doo is thehighest ranked female player for Hong Kong. At the Asian Olympicsqualifier in April, Doo defeated World No.1 Liu Shiwen (CHN) to recordher best win of her career.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/doohoikemhttp://instagram.com/doohoikem

14. HU Melek

Country: TurkeyQualification: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2008 Women’s’ Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 24Age: 27Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackCareer Highlights: 2015 European Women’s’ Doubles Champion, 2013 World Championships Women’s Singles QuarterfinalistInteresting stories: In partnership with Shen Yanfei, Hu won theEuropean Women’s’ Doubles title for the first time.






pg. 9

15. LEE Ho Ching

Country: Hong KongQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Team QuarterfinalsOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 26Age: 23Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Hong KongCareer Highlights: 2014 World Championships Women’s Team BronzeInteresting stories: Lee started playing table tennis at the age of 7,together with her older brother. Lee caused an upset during theAsian Olympic Qualifiers beating Fukuhara Ai (JPN) for the first time.Social Media Accounts: http://instagram.com/leehoching1124

16. LIU Jia

Country: AustriaQualification: European Continental TournamentBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 5World Ranking: 27Age: 34Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Linz, AustriaCareer Highlights: 2014 Europe Cup ChampionInteresting stories: Liu Jia returned to international play aftergiving birth to her child in 2011. Liu was also awarded the Fair PlayStar Award at the 2014 ITTF Star Awards.






pg. 10

17. YU Fu

Country: PortugalQualification: European Continental TournamentBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 29Age: 37Playing style: Right/Penhold/AttackResidence: Funchal, PortugalCareer Highlights: 2013 & 2015 European Championships BronzeInteresting stories: Fu became the first female Portuguese tabletennis player to win a medal in an international competition whenshe took bronze at the 2013 European Championships in Schwechat,Austria.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/yu.fu.560

18. Elizabeta SAMARA

Country: RomaniaQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 16OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 30Age: 27Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackCareer highlights: 2015 European ChampionInteresting stories: Also known as Eliza, Samara speaks 4 languages (Romanian, English, Spanish and Italian). She is the only European women to have advanced to the finals of the Women’s’ World Cup (2012).Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabetaSamarahttp://instagram.com/eliza04samara






pg. 11

19. LI Qian

Country: PolandQualification: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 16OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 32Age: 30Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceCareer Highlights: 2015 World Women’s Doubles BronzeInteresting story: At the 2012 World Championships, Li Qian led thePoland team to the quarterfinals for the first time. Li Qian’s husbandis a table tennis coach.

20. LI Jiao

Country: NetherlandsQualification: 2015 European GamesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles QuarterfinalsOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 33Age: 43Playing style: Left/Penhold/AttackResidence: Oosterbeek, NetherlandsCareer Highlights: 2015 European Games ChampionInteresting story: Li divides her time between competing andcoaching the Dutch national men’s team.






pg. 12

21. RI Myong Sun

Country: Democratic Republic of KoreaQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 37Age: 24Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceResidence: Pyongyang, Korea DPRCareer Highlights: 2016 World Championships Women’s Team BronzeInteresting stories: Ri played in the Chinese Super league alongsidecurrent World Champion Ding Ning in 2014.

22. Polina MIKHAILOVA

Country: RussiaQualification: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 38Age: 29Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceResidence: St. Petersburg, RussiaCareer Highlights: 2015 European Championships Women’s Singles BronzeInteresting Stories: Mikhailova caused an upset during the 2015European Championships beating top seed Han Ying in thequarterfinals.Social Media Accounts: https://www.instagram.com/polinamikhailova/






pg. 13

23. CHEN Szu-Yu

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24. Georgina POTA

Country: HungaryQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 45Age: 31Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Budapest, HungaryCareer Highlights: 2014 ITTF World Tour Belgium Open Champion, 2014 Women’s World Cup BronzeInteresting stories: Pota won her first major senior title at the 2007European Championships in the team event. She’s also named theHungarian Table Tennis Player of the year for 2004, 2012, 2013.






pg. 14

25. LI Fen

Country: SwedenQualification: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 46Age: 39Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Malmo, SwedenCareer Highlights: 2013 European Championships Women’s Singles ChampionInteresting stories: Li won the women’s singles title on herinternational debut at the 2013 European Championships, beatingGermany’s Shan Xiaona in the final.

26. Tetyana BILENKO

Country: UkraineQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 51Age: 32Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceResidence: Schwechat, AustriaCareer Highlights: 1998 European Cadet ChampionInteresting stories: Since 2013, Bilenko has been practising at theWerner Schlager Academy in Schwechat.Social Media Accounts: http://instagram.com/bilenkotetyana






pg. 15

27. SHEN Yanfei

Country: SpainQualification: World Ranking placesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 16OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 52Age: 36Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Cartagena, SpainCareer Highlights: 2016 European Top 16 Champion Interesting stories: In 2005, Shen won the Pro Tour Grand Finals with Gao Jun in doubles. It was the first time in history that a non-Asian pair clinched the title.

28. Matilda EKHOLM

Country: SwedenQualification: European Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 53Age: 34Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Vienna, AustriaCareer Highlights: 2012 Morocco Open ChampionInteresting stories: Matilda qualified for both the 2008 and 2012Olympics but the Swedish Olympic Committee didn't approve herselection.Social Media Accounts:https://www.facebook.com/matilda.ekholm.39https://twitter.com/matiekholm






pg. 16

29. SHAO Jieni

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30. LI Xue

Country: FranceQualification: World Ranking placesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 55Age: 31Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceCareer Highlights: 2012 European Championships Women’s Singles BronzeInteresting stories: Li is a three time French National Champion,winning in 2009, 2010 and 2013






pg. 17

31. KIM Song-I

Country: Democratic Republic of KoreaQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 56Age: 21Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceCareer Highlights: 2 ITTF World Tour titlesInteresting stories: Kim first attracted global attention at the 2010Youth Olympic Games, where she stunned favourite Gu Yuting inthe group stages. She won her first World Tour title in 2012.

32. Sofia POLCANOVA

Country: AustriaQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 57Age: 21Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Linz, AustriaCareer Highlights: 2015 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open Doubles Champion






pg. 18

33. Viktoria PAVLOVICH

Country: BelarusQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 16OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 5World Ranking: 60Age: 38Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenceCareer Highlights: 2010, 2012 European ChampionInteresting stories: Pavlovich used to play alongside her twin sisterVeronika but her sister has since retired from international play.Pavlovich is also a mother of one.

34. Daniela MONTEIRO DODEAN

Country: RomaniaQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 62Age: 28Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Schwechat, AustriaCareer highlights: 2009 European Championships Women’s Doubles ChampionInteresting stories: Dodean is married to Portuguese player JoãoMonteiro, and came back to international play after giving birth toher first child in 2015.Social Media Accounts: http://instagram.com/dodean_daniela






pg. 19

35. Suthasini SAWETTABUT

Country: ThailandQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 63Age: 21Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Ranong, ThailandCareer Highlights: 2015 South East Asian ChampionInteresting stories: Sawettabut caused the biggest upset of hercareer last year at the 2015 South East Asian games where she beattop seeded Feng Tianwei to clinch the title. She has also beatennotable names such as Mima Ito.Social Media Accounts:https://www.facebook.com/suthasinee-sawettabut-154971814597722http://instagram.com/ying091294

36. D*%*&E'$* 4;FG/3=HD7

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pg. 20

37. Barbora BALAZOVA

Country: SlovakiaQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 69Age: 24Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Düsseldorf, GermanyCareer Highlights: 2010 European Junior Championships Women’s Doubles ChampionSocial Media Accounts:https://www.instagram.com/barborbalazova/

38. Iveta VACENOVSKA

Country: Czech RepublicQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 70Age: 30Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Linz, AustriaCareer Highlights: 2015 European Games Team Bronze, 2012 ITTF World Tour German Open SilverInteresting stories: Vacenovská began playing table tennis whenshe was six years old because of her uncle, who is a table tenniscoach. Besides being a professional athlete, she is also a student atthe Charles University in Prague in the Department of Sport andPhysical Education, and enjoys all kinds of sporting activities.






pg. 21

39. NI Xia Lian

Country: LuxembourgQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2000 Women’s Singles Round of 16OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 4World Ranking: 71Age: 53Playing style: Left/Penhold/AttackResidence: Ettelbruck, LuxembourgCareer Highlights: 1996,1997 & 1998 European Top-12 ChampionInteresting stories: Ni is the oldest female player competing in Rio, at 53 years old.

40. Nanthana KOMWONG

Country: ThailandQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2004 Women’s Singles Round of 32OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 5World Ranking: 75Age: 35Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Bangkok, ThailandCareer Highlights: 2004 Olympic Women’s Singles Round of 32Interesting stories: Komwong, who serves in the army, used to be based in Europe, and adapted the European way of playing style into her game. In 2008, she beat Liu Shiwen at the Korea Open. Komwong is also fluent in Mandarin.






pg. 22

41. Maria DOLGIKH

Country: RussiaQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 76Age: 29Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenseCareer Highlights: 2013 ITTF World Tour Egypt Open Champion

42. Hana MATELOVA

Country: Czech RepublicQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 82Age: 26Playing style: Right/Shakehand/DefenseCareer Highlights: 2 World Junior Circuit TitlesSocial Media Accounts: https://www.instagram.com/hmatelova/






pg. 23

43. Adriana DIAZ

Country: Puerto RicoQualification: Latin American QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 84Age: 15Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Utuado, Puerto RicoCareer Highlights: 2016 Latin American Junior Champion, 2015 World Cadet Challenge Team Champion Interesting stories: Diaz is the first female Puerto Rican table tennisplayer to qualify for the Olympics. Her countryman and cousin BrianAfanador will also be competing in Rio.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianaDiazTM/http://instagram.com/diazadriana123https://twitter.com/diaztabletennis

44. Carole GRUNDISH

Country: FranceQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 90Age: 29Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Paris, FranceCareer Highlights: 4 times French ChampionInteresting stories: After failing to qualify for three consecutiveOlympic Games in 2004, 2008 and 2012, Grundish finally succeededat qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.






pg. 24

45. Eva ODOROVA

Country: SlovakiaQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2008 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 91Age: 36Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Budapest, HungaryCareer Highlights: 2015 European Games Semifinalist

46. Petra LOVAS

Country: HungaryQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2008 Women’s Singles Second RoundOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 93Age: 36Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Budapest, HungaryCareer Highlights: 2007 European Team Champion






pg. 25

47. Lily ZHANG

Country: United States of AmericaQualification: North America Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles First RoundOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 94Age: 20Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Palo Alto, USACareer Highlights: 2014 Youth Olympic Games Bronze, 2012 & 2015 North America Women’s Singles ChampionInteresting stories: Zhang created history when she won a bronzemedal at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, the first ever Olympicmedal for the US table tennis. In order to qualify for Rio, she took ayear off from university and spent 3 months in Austria honing herskills.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/lilyzhangtthttp://instagram.com/lilyyz

48. Alexandra PRIVALOVA

Country: BelarusQualification: World Ranking PlacesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 96Age: 28Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Minsk, BelarusCareer Highlights: 2013 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open Silver






pg. 26

49. Dina MESHREF

Country: EgyptQualification: All Africa GamesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 98Age: 22Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Cairo, EgyptCareer Highlights: 2015 African ChampionInteresting stories: Meshref is the first Egyptian player to win the2015 African Games women’s singles title. From 2014 till now, shehas won all titles at stake in Africa and she will be making her secondOlympic appearance in Rio. Her parents were former Egyptiannational players.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/Dina-Meshref-Fans-484799494909152/http://instagram.com/dina_alaameshref

50. ZHANG Mo

Country: CanadaQualification: North America Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 102Age: 27Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Vancouver, CanadaCareer Highlights: 2011 Pan American Games Champion, 4 times North America Women’s Singles ChampionInteresting stories: In 2014, Zhang teamed with Anqi Luo to windoubles bronze at the Commonwealth Games. It was Canada’s thirdever Commonwealth Games table tennis medal and first since 2002.Zhang was Canada’s lone female table tennis player qualified forLondon 2012, advancing one round further than she had in herOlympic debut in 2008.






pg. 27

51. Caroline KUMAHARA

Country: BrazilQualification: Latin America Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles First RoundOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 119Age: 21Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Sao Paulo, BrazilCareer Highlights: 2013 Latin American Champion, 2012, 2014 & 2015 Latin America Cup Women’s Singles ChampionInteresting stories: Kumahara played futsal before starting tabletennis. She listens to lively music before a match.Social Media Accounts: http://instagram.com/c.kumahara

52. LAY Jian Fang

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pg. 28

53. Manika BATRA

Country: IndiaQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 130Age: 21Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: New Delhi, IndiaCareer Highlights: 2015 Commonwealth Championships Women’s Singles Bronze, Team & Women’s Doubles SilverInteresting stories: In 2011, Batra turned down a six-month scholarship to train at the Peter Karlsson Academy in Sweden with the long-term goal of preparing her for the 2016 Olympics. Missing out on school and travelling alone to Scandinavia did not appeal to her parents, but she says she has no regrets about the decision. As a teenager, she rejected numerous modelling offers.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/Manika-Batra-1706062189632894/

54. Yadira SILVA

Country: MexicoQualification: Latin American Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles First Round OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 131Age: 30Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Villahermosa, MexicoCareer Highlights: 2010 Latin American ChampionInteresting stories: Silva started playing table tennis when she was 10 under the influence of her brother. She is married to her coach and is a proud mother of 2.Social Media Accounts: https://www.instagram.com/yadirasilvallorente/






pg. 29

55. GUI Lin

Country: BrazilQualification: Latin American Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: Singles DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 138Age: 22Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackCareer Highlights: 2015 Pan American Games Women’s Singles Silver, 2015 & 2016 Latin America Championships Women’s Singles ChampionInteresting stories: Leading player for the Brazilian team, Gui won the singles and team silver at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. She currently trains under the supervision of Pan-American Champion Hugo Hoyama.Social Media Accounts: https://instagram.com/lin_gui/https://twitter.com/Lin_Gui

56. WU Yue

Country: United States of AmericaQualification: Pan American GamesBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 149Age: 26Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Fort Lee, USACareer Highlights: 2015 Pan American ChampionInteresting stories: Wu coached the comedian and actor JudahFriedlander. She won her first international major title at the PanAmerican Games last year in Toronto.Social Media Accounts: https://instagram.com/wuyuetabletennis/






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57. Mouma DAS

Country: IndiaQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2004 Women’s Singles First Round OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 153Age: 32Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Kolkata, IndiaCareer Highlights: 2009 Commonwealth Games SemifinalistInteresting stories: Das won the Arjuna Award, the highestrecognition of outstanding performance in sport in India in 2013.

58. HAN Xing

Country: Congo BrazzavilleQualification: All Africa GamesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles First Round OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 171Age: 26Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Brazzaville, Congo BrazzavilleCareer Highlights: 2012 African Champion






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59. Nadeen EL-DAWLATLY

Country: EgyptQualification: All Africa GamesBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles First Round OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 200Age: 23Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Cairo, EgyptCareer Highlights: 2014 ITTF World Tour Nigeria Open ChampionInteresting stories: El-Dawlatly is the first African female player towin an ITTF World Tour event and she is from a table tennis familywith both her brother being the Rio 2016 Table Tennis TechnicalOperations Manager.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/Nadeen-El-Dawlatly-262042967162118/

60. Lady RUANO

Country: ColombiaQualification: Latin American Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 208Age: 35Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Bogota, ColombiaCareer Highlights: 2015 ITTF World Tour Chile Open Doubles Bronze, 2016 Latin American Cup ChampionInteresting stories: Ruano did not compete in table tennis for eightyears while she concentrated on her university studies in sportsscience. She qualified for her first ITTF Women’s World Cup later thisyear after winning the Latin American Cup in June.Social Media Accounts: https://instagram.com/ladyruano






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61. Gremlis ARVELO

Country: VenezuelaQualification: Latin American Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 214Age: 19Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackCareer Highlights: 2016 Latin America Championships Women’s Doubles ChampionSocial Media Accounts: https://instagram.com/andreina136https://twitter.com/AndreinaArvelo5

62. Edem OFFIONG

Country: NigeriaQualification: African Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2004 Women’s Doubles Second Round OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 3World Ranking: 217Age: 29Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackCareer Highlights: 2015 African Championships Team SilverInteresting stories: Offiong enjoyed football a lot when she was growing up, regularly played it with men on the street and thought she would become a footballer. When she started training in table tennis, she would play football in the morning and table tennis in the afternoon, but eventually she had to choose between the two sports and chose table tennis because football had a high risk of injury and would not let her achieve as much as an athlete.






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63. Olofunke OSHONAIKE

Country: NigeriaQualification: All Africa GamesBest OG Performance: 2004 Women’s Singles Round of 64OG Appearances (incl. Rio): 6World Ranking: 228Age: 40Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Hamburg, GermanyCareer Highlights: 2015 All African Games Team and Mixed Doubles SilverInteresting stories: The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio will be her sixthOlympic Games, having competed at every edition since Atlanta in1996. One of nine children, Oshonaike is a trained cosmetologist andmake-up artist. She used to have her own beautician shop butclosed it after the birth of her second child to concentrate on herfamily and sport.

64. Neda SHAHSAVARI

Country: IranQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: 2012 Women’s Singles Preliminary RoundOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 2World Ranking: 270Age: 29Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Kermanshah, IranCareer Highlights: Qualification for 2012 Olympic GamesInteresting stories: Shahsavari became the first Iranian woman toqualify for an Olympic Games in table tennis when she did so for the2012 Olympic Games in London.Social Media Accounts: https://www.facebook.com/neda.shahsavari.kermanshah/






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65. Ian LARIBA

Country: PhilippinesQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 315Age: 21Playing style: Left/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Manila, PhilippinesCareer Highlights: Qualification for Olympic GamesInteresting stories: Lariba became the first Philippines table tennisplayer to qualify for the Olympic Games when she did so in the Asianqualification tournament in Hong Kong.

66. Melissa TAPPER

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67. Safa SAIDANI

Country: TunisiaQualification: African Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 446Age: 26Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Bizerte, TunisiaCareer Highlights: 2015 Arab Cup Champion

68. Mariana SAHAKIAN

Country: LebanonQualification: Asian Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 542Age: 38Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Yerevan, ArmeniaCareer Highlights: Qualification for Olympic GamesInteresting stories: In Rio, she will be only the third Lebanese tabletennis player to have competed at the Olympic Games.






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69. Heba ALLEJI

Country: SyriaQualification: Tripartite Commission invitationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 713Age: 19Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackCareer Highlights: Qualification for Olympic GamesInteresting stories: Alleji is the first Syrian table tennis athlete tocompete in the Olympic Games.

70. Sally YEE

Country: FijiQualification: Oceania Continental QualificationBest OG Performance: DebutOG Appearances (incl. Rio): 1World Ranking: 799Age: 15Playing style: Right/Shakehand/AttackResidence: Suva, FijiCareer Highlights: 2016 Oceania Championships Doubles BronzeInteresting stories: Yee will be the youngest table tennis player tocompete at an OG games, she will be 15 years and 128 days oldwhen the Olympic Games start officially.


Rio 2016 Olympic Games - TABLE TENNIS - ULTM

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