Yifei Fang
Yifei first started playing table tennis at the age of seven in Aberdeen. His parents encouraged him to take up the sport in the hope that it would improve his eyesight. Although it did not have the effect they had hoped for, Yifei quickly found that he enjoyed playing and wanted to continue.
He trained at Aberdeen Sports Village, where the coaches had a significant influence on his development. Their support helped him strengthen his technique, build confidence and develop a greater understanding of the game. As he progressed, Yifei began competing in tournaments across Scotland, gaining experience against different opponents and earning the opportunity to represent Scotland.
Later, Yifei moved to the United States and continued playing for a time. He competed in tournaments in Texas and other parts of the country, which allowed him to experience a different table tennis environment and meet players from a wider range of backgrounds.
Today, Yifei studies at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He trains at Smash N’Go Table Tennis Club and represents Vanderbilt in the collegiate division. Table tennis remains an important part of his life, not only because of the competition, but also because of the community surrounding the sport. Through training and tournaments, Yifei has met many different people and formed connections that have made the experience especially meaningful.
What began as an attempt to improve his eyesight has developed into a long-term passion that has followed him from Aberdeen to Nashville.
Top three achievements to date:
- U13 National Champion (Scottish National Championships 2017, Perth)
- Singles and Doubles Champion (Scottish Primary Schools Championships 2015, Bathgate)
- U12 Boys Team silver (Primary Schools International 2016, Guernsey)