Ontario’s Hopes development program continues to produce outstanding international results.
Last year, Daniel Liang and Olivia Wang advanced through the Americas Hopes Challenge to earn places at the ITTF World Hopes Week. They both delivered exceptional performances on the world stage, with Olivia finishing third and Daniel sixth.
This year, Ontario was represented by four athletes at the Americas Hopes Week: Tiffany Zhan, Kexin Fan, Aaron Mingran Wang, and Kevin Yang. Kexin produced another excellent performance by finishing 5th in the Hopes Girls competition, while Aaron Mingran Wang claimed 5th place and Kevin Yang 6th place in the Hopes Boys event. The outstanding performances once again highlighted the strength of Ontario’s Hopes development program.
Among them, it was Tiffany Zhan who captured the title, becoming the Americas Hopes Week Champion and securing Canada’s place at the ITTF World Hopes Week in Sheffield, England.
We caught up with Tiffany shortly after her victory.
“I wanted it so much! I made it!”
“I knew what this opportunity meant. Last year Daniel and Olivia did so well at the World Hopes Week, and I really wanted to continue that success for Canada. I wanted to earn that spot.”
“There were 22 players divided into four groups. Before the competition we had several days of practice with Head Coach Robert Gardos. After watching everyone, he placed me as the first seed in Group A.”
“I played four group matches. Every match consisted of four games, and I finished the group stage with an overall game record of 15-1. That gave me a lot of confidence going into the knockout stage.”
“The quarter-final was the match I worried about the most.”
“I had to play another Ontario player, Kexin Fan. We played earlier this year in the quarter-finals of WTT Youth Mississauga, where I won, but I still knew how dangerous she was.”
“The score was 3-0, but it was much closer than it looks. Every game was decided by only a few points—9, 10 and 8. Kexin is a really strong player.”
“That semi-final showed me what great coaching really means.”
“I played Gia Gamboa from Peru. I was leading comfortably 2-0, but I couldn’t finish the match in the third or fourth game, even though I was very close.”
“Before the fifth game Coach Raymond simply told me, ‘Just play what we have practiced and you’ll be OK.’“
“Those words gave me so much confidence. I stopped worrying and just trusted my game. I played brave in the fifth game and won.”
“The final changed in one game.”
“I played Valeria Ortiz from Guatemala.”
“I lost the first game, and then the second game became so important. I managed to win it 20-18.”
“After that I really felt I could make it.”
“And I did.”
“Representing Canada means so much to me.”
“I’ve already had several international events where I came very close. Three times I lost in the semi-finals.”
“My goal this time is to go all the way. I’ve worked too hard to miss the opportunity again.”
“The camp was an amazing experience.”
“Before the competition it was a lot of fun. Everyone was excited to practice, learn and improve. Coach Robert Gardos shared so much knowledge with all of us.”
“Then the last day came, and suddenly everybody started thinking about the competition. Our focus completely changed.”
“My friends were excited for me.”
“When I came back, I shared the experience with my friends at school.”
“They were really excited for me. It was a new experience to be able to tell them about representing Canada and winning such an important event.”
“I couldn’t have done it alone.”
“I’m very thankful to my family for always supporting me.”
“I also want to thank my first coaches in Alberta, who introduced me to table tennis and helped me build my foundation.”
“Since moving to Ontario and joining Three 10, I’ve learned to be much more focused during practice and much more relaxed afterwards. That balance has really helped my game.”
“Now I’m looking forward to Sheffield.”
“My dream now is to perform my very best at the World Hopes Week in England.”
“I wanted this opportunity so much. Now I have it.”
“And I’m going to give everything I have.”