World University Games Chengdu; 2023 Summary by guest writer, Team USA Collegiate Player and team leader, Angela Guan

Three is a special number. My 3rd World University Games, our team’s 3rd attempt to compete in the Games, bringing home 3rd place medals for USA.

The 31st World University Games concluded on August 8th in Chengdu, China and truly felt like a dream. The 12-day event brought together over 9500 university athletes across 18 sports from 113 countries. The US delegation had over 250 athletes, including the table tennis team with 10 NCTTA players representing 8 colleges. We experienced Chengdu’s hospitality and culture, the highest level of college sports competition, and spirit of the Games. It was an honor to represent Team USA at the 2nd largest sporting event in the world!

Previously, I attended the Games in 2017 and 2019. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 Games were postponed. Subsequently in 2022, our university team was canceled. Finishing first in the University Games trials in 2020, I stepped up to be team manager and coach for this World University Games, so the third time was a charm. From all Games registration to flights to getting competition uniforms and a coach, our team was 100% self-funded.

In the table tennis competition, we made the Top 16 in both men’s and women’s teams. For women’s doubles, Amy Wang and Rachel Sung won a bronze medal for USA - the 1st time US medaled for the World University Games table tennis event. Seeing the US flag raised and represented on the podium was so special! Other highlights were the opening ceremony, athletes’ village, (almost) 24 hour dining hall, cultural activities and tours to see giant pandas, exchange of pins, team uniforms, and friendships with international players, and team spirit of being part of the US team.

On behalf of the team, we’d like to extend our gratitude to Major League Table Tennis and LifeSign PBM for the uniforms! Despite lack of resources for this University Games, we hope USATT and NCTTA can support the growing college table tennis scene and future games. We appreciate USA Team, organizing committee and countless volunteers in Chengdu, and FISU (International University Sports Federation) for making the 2023 World University Games a success!

Team USA Collegiate was represented by these student-athletes featured in this picture.
Josh Mak, Yuxiang Jin, Tom Feng, Jonathan Li, Eliel Sosis, Steven Gong
Crystal Wang, Amy Wang, Lavanya Maruthapandian, Rachel Sung, Angela Guan