Paddler Zhou Jingyi Is Paris-Bound
2024 Paris Olympic Qualification
With a larger goal in sight, Zhou Jingyi decided to play table tennis full-time after completing her secondary education in Singapore Sports School in 2021. Despite grappling with frequent knee injuries sustained over recent years, she fully committed herself in training. The sacrifices made by the 19-year-old Singaporean are yielding results, as she prepares to join her teammate Izaac Quek Yong at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Jingyi officially secured her qualification on 12 June 2024, making her the youngest local-born female table tennis player to achieve this milestone since Tan Paey Fern's historic qualification for Athens 2004. According to the latest ITTF rankings, Jingyi ranks 63rd in the Race to Paris and clinched her spot as the top Asian player who has yet to qualify.
Reflecting on her journey during an interview with The Straits Times, Jingyi said: “Over the past year, we have travelled extensively around the world preparing for the Olympics. It was both physically and mentally exhausting, especially with an injury. However, I was able to improve significantly, thanks to the many competition opportunities. Qualifying for the Olympics is incredibly meaningful to me, as it has been my goal since day one.”
Looking ahead to Paris, she added, “My mindset for the Olympics is to focus on each match and gain experience and exposure at this unique stage. I intend to approach my matches with the same mentality as any other competition and to perform to the best of my ability.”
Jingyi joins seven other athletes from Sports School who have also secured spots at the Paris Olympics: Veronica Shanti Pereira (Athletics), Loh Kean Yew, Yeo Jia Min, Terry Hee, Jessica Tan (Badminton), Amita Berthier (Fencing), and Izaac Quek Yong (Table Tennis).
With a larger goal in sight, Zhou Jingyi decided to play table tennis full-time after completing her secondary education in Singapore Sports School in 2021. Despite grappling with frequent knee injuries sustained over recent years, she fully committed herself in training. The sacrifices made by the 19-year-old Singaporean are yielding results, as she prepares to join her teammate Izaac Quek Yong at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Jingyi officially secured her qualification on 12 June 2024, making her the youngest local-born female table tennis player to achieve this milestone since Tan Paey Fern's historic qualification for Athens 2004. According to the latest ITTF rankings, Jingyi ranks 63rd in the Race to Paris and clinched her spot as the top Asian player who has yet to qualify.
Reflecting on her journey during an interview with The Straits Times, Jingyi said: “Over the past year, we have travelled extensively around the world preparing for the Olympics. It was both physically and mentally exhausting, especially with an injury. However, I was able to improve significantly, thanks to the many competition opportunities. Qualifying for the Olympics is incredibly meaningful to me, as it has been my goal since day one.”
Looking ahead to Paris, she added, “My mindset for the Olympics is to focus on each match and gain experience and exposure at this unique stage. I intend to approach my matches with the same mentality as any other competition and to perform to the best of my ability.”
Jingyi joins seven other athletes from Sports School who have also secured spots at the Paris Olympics: Veronica Shanti Pereira (Athletics), Loh Kean Yew, Yeo Jia Min, Terry Hee, Jessica Tan (Badminton), Amita Berthier (Fencing), and Izaac Quek Yong (Table Tennis).
