For Sunny Zhang, Table Tennis has become much more than a sport. Over the past nine years, it has created opportunities for friendship, connection, and personal growth both on and off the table.
As part of Table Tennis Canada’s “Women in Table Tennis” series, Sunny reflects on the experiences that continue to shape her journey in the sport and the importance of creating spaces where female athletes feel supported and valued. “What I love most about table tennis is how it brings people together,” Sunny shares. “Whether that be through teammates, competition, or shared experiences. When practicing, playing doubles, or competing in tournaments, Table Tennis helps people connect and build irreplaceable friendships.”
Like many female athletes, Sunny has also experienced moments where assumptions and expectations based on gender became part of the environment around the sport. “One challenge I’ve noticed in Table Tennis is that female players can sometimes be underestimated, with assumptions about ability or competitiveness,” she explains. “It can be frustrating, but it also encourages me to focus on improving myself and letting performance and skill speak for itself.”
Rather than allowing those moments to discourage her, Sunny has used them as motivation to continue developing her game and confidence.
She also hopes younger female players entering the sport understand that their presence and voice matter. “Don’t be discouraged by others’ expectations,” Sunny says. “As long as you keep showing up, learning, and improving each time you play, that’s what counts. Your effort and passion matter, and you belong just as much on the table as anyone else.”
For Sunny, Table Tennis is not only about competition, but also about community, growth, and helping ensure that future female athletes feel welcomed and respected within the sport.
Campaigns like Women in Table Tennis continue to highlight the voices, experiences, and journeys of female athletes across Canada, while helping create spaces where the next generation can see themselves represented in the sport.
Through athletes like Sunny Zhang, the future of women’s Table Tennis in Canada continues to grow stronger, built not only on competition, but on community, resilience, and the friendships created along the way.
