American athlete Lily Zhang, a notable talent in table tennis, has qualified for her fourth Olympic Games. This is undoubtedly a significant accomplishment for a top athlete like her, and her desire to win an Olympic medal remains unwavering.
On Day 2 of the Paris Olympics, Zhang played her first match. In the Women’s Singles Round of 64, Lily faced Mariana Sahakian of Lebanon. Despite a significant age difference between the two athletes, the American dominated from the start, winning the first game 11-7.
Zhang maintained her momentum, achieving top scores in Games 2, 3, and 4. She dominated throughout the 21-minute match, advancing to the next round with a score of 4-0.
A competitive round
In the Women’s Singles Round of 32, Lily Zhang faced Brazilian table tennis star Bruna Takahashi. The first two games felt like another clean sweep for the Americans; however, Bruna made a dramatic comeback by winning Games 3 and 4, with 11-8 and 11-9, respectively.
Lily Zhang advances to the Round of 16 at Paris 2024! She won 4-2 against Bruna Takahashi , her best Olympic result yet!
Next up, she faces the winner of Shin Yubin vs Georgina Pota .
Go Lily! @teamusa @lilyyz @ittfworld#TeamUSA #USATT #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/LiTRgOlhOM
— USA Table Tennis (@usatabletennis) July 29, 2024
In the last two games, both players needed to win to advance to the finals. Lily won Game 5 with a score of 11-8, and in Game 6, she continued her winning streak with another 11-8 victory. With a final score of 4-2, Lily advanced to the Women’s Singles Round of 16.
Zhang’s next competitor
Lily Zhang is set to face South Korean athlete Shin Yu-bin in what promises to be an electrifying match. Shin, having already secured a bronze medal in the Women’s Mixed Doubles at this year’s Olympics, is now aiming for individual glory. Zhang, too, is eyeing her first Olympic medal in singles competition.
For Zhang, this could potentially be her last Olympic appearance due to personal circumstances. The American is determined to give her all, knowing the significance of this moment in her career.
Even an Olympic athlete can’t escape parental pressure
Even Olympic athletes aren’t immune to parental pressure. Many children face expectations from their parents that may seem at odds with their aspirations. Parents often prioritize financial stability for their children, sometimes at the expense of pursuing less conventional career paths.
Six-time national champion Lily Zhang is no exception. According to a Wall Street Journal interview, her parents, Bob Zhang and Linda Liu, have encouraged her to shift focus from table tennis to her studies, to secure a stable 9-to-5 job.
While initially resistant, Zhang has come to understand her parents’ perspective. She notes that athletes like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps have reached a level of success where they no longer need to compete, thanks to numerous sponsorships. However, for many athletes, a single injury or lack of medals can result in lost sponsorships and financial instability.
This issue extends beyond Zhang. Team USA table tennis coach, Jun Gao has observed many promising young athletes lose contracts or motivation due to family pressure. It’s a complex factor that’s difficult to ignore in the world of competitive sports.
Zhang’s career now hinges on her performance at the Paris Olympics. The confidence gained from her Round of 32 victory will undoubtedly fuel her determination in the upcoming match against Shin Yu-bin.
