Table Tennis
April 27, 1980
Wang Chen
Born: January 17, 1974, in Beijing, China
Current Residence: New York, NY
Ethnicity: Chinese
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 140 lbs.
Event: Women’s singles, women’s team
Did you know? Though Wang didn’t get her passport in time for Athens, she qualified for Beijing based upon her world ranking.
Wang Chen was born and raised in Beijing. She began playing table tennis after being chosen when she was in elementary school. By 11, she was a professional. She became the Junior World Singles Champion at 14. However, despite having earned two world championship medals by 2000, she was not chosen for the Atlanta and Sydney games. Coaches for the Chinese team going to Atlanta preferred older players and selected the top three players for the Sydney games, although she was fourth in the world.
A famous celebrity in China, she moved to New York City and began to coach Chinese American children whose parents had heard of her. However, her comeback was not easy. She experienced extreme back pain from bending over the table, forcing her to sleep on the floor. And because of the lack of top table tennis players in the U.S., Wang had to “import” training partners from China or train with European teams at events. Her hard work has paid off, giving her a first chance to go to the Olympics. She qualified for the Games through her world ranking and fulfilling certain criteria.
Career Highlights:
2008 Semifinals at Brazilian Open: Bronze medal — U.S.A.
Quarterfinals: Chile Open — U.S.A.
Quarterfinals: Singapore Open — U.S.A.
2007 Pan American Games: Team Gold medal — U.S.A.
Pan American Games: Singles Bronze medal — U.S.A.
North American Championship: Women’s Singles Gold medal — U.S.A.
Quarterfinal at World Championships — U.S.A.
2006 North American Championship: Women’s Singles Gold medal — U.S.A.
1997 Team Gold: World Championships — China
1995 Bronze Doubles: World Championships — China
#1 ranking as of January 1, 2008.
Crystal Huang
Born: July 18, 1979, in Changsha, Hunan, China
Current Residence: San Gabriel, Calif.
Ethnicity: Chinese
Height: 5’3”
Weight: 110 lbs.
Event: Women’s singles, women’s team
Grip: rbp penholder
Did you know? Though Huang says she does everything slow, she loves roller coaster rides.
The word to best describe Crystal Huang would “prodigy.” As opposed to her teammates who train all-year round in China or elsewhere, she only trains for the trials. At this year’s trials, she successfully defeated her opponents without dropping a single game.
She is an avid travel enthusiast, with Philadelphia being her latest travel spot. She is also humble; after a full day of matches where she emerged undefeated, she kept her focus on winning rather than representing the U.S. at the Olympics.
Originally from Changsha in the province of Hunan, China, the Beijing Games will be the first for the 29 year old.
2004 & 2006 SoCal Women’s Singles Champion, 2005 Runner-up
2005 U.S. Women’s Doubles Champion, Mixed Doubles Runner-up
2005 U.S. Open Under 30 Women’s Champion
1990-92 Member of Hunan Province Team in China
1993-98 Member of Dongguang City Team in China
Interview by Leila Kang
How does it feel to be going to your first Olympic Games?
It feels absolutely awesome! I made numerous sacrifices to get where I am today. I spent a lot of time, energy and finances to achieve a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. I worked hard training overseas in China for 6 months to prepare for the U.S. & North American Olympic Trials.
Who or what inspires you?
My two best friends, Tawny Banh (2004 U.S. Olympian) and Gao Jun (2008/2004/2000 U.S. Olympian), inspire me to be the best that I can be on and off the court. They are my practice partners and encourage and motivate me to train hard to achieve my goals.
What do you hope to take away from your Olympics experience?
Win or lose, every participant is a winner. Every athlete has worked extremely hard just to make it to the Olympics.
What is your pre-game ritual?
I just get a good stretch and then warm-up well at the table - do some drills. I just try to stay calm and relaxed, so that I can mentally focus.
How do you feel about the new three-person match play?
Before it was all singles, five matches. The third player would normally play only one match. Now, it’s four singles and one doubles, with the doubles being the third match. The third player will play doubles and may also play a singles match if necessary, depending on results. Doubles is a big factor and will be focused on in training.
What do you like most about table tennis?
It’s a fun indoor lifetime sport - great hand-eye coordination and aerobic exercise.
What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are my close-to-the-table attack, my backhand loop and service. My weakness is sometimes I tend to lose concentration during a match.
What are your goals?
My goal is to have a successful table tennis club. After the Olympics, I will be semi-retired. I won’t train and compete much.
What is the first thing you’d do if you win the gold?
I would scream and hug my two teammates and coach.
David Zhuang
Born: September 1, 1963, in Guangdong, China
Current Residence: West Windsor, NJ
Ethnicity: Chinese
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 165 lbs.
Event: Table Tennis
Grip: Chinese Penholder
Did you know?: Zhuang is married to his coach, Joannie Fu.
The 2008 Olympic Games marks David Zhuang’s third Olympics, having competed in 1996 in Atlanta and in 2000 in Sydney. A native of Guangdong, China, Zhuang began playing table tennis at age 8. He turned pro at the tender age of 12. He came to the United States at age 17 to pursue table tennis more seriously. He is known to change his tactics during a match to frustrate opponents, which has served him well and earned him a few championships. He has a son and a daughter with his wife/coach, Joannie Fu.
2007 U.S. Nationals - Men’s Doubles Runner-up
2006 U.S. Nationals - Men’s Singles Champion
2006 U.S. Nationals - Men’s Doubles Champion
2006 Meiklejohn North American Seniors Open Champion
2005 Matthew J. Murad Memorial Open - Open Singles Finalist
2004 U.S. Nationals - Men’s Singles Runner-up
2003 U.S. Nationals - Men’s Doubles Champion
2001/2000/1999 U.S. National - Men’s Doubles Champion
2000 U.S. National - Men’s Singles Champion
1999 Pan Am Game - Gold Medalist in Men’s Singles and Men’s Teams
Gao Jun
Currently ranked number nine in the world, Gao Jun was introduced to table tennis by her father at the age of five. Born in Hebei, China, Jun attended a special boarding school in China designed for training future professional athletes. She would train for several hours everyday after her classes and was only allowed to go home on Sundays.
After winning a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for China, Jun married a Chinese American and became a U.S. citizen. She earned a degree in economics at East China University of Science and Technology in 2005. She currently resides in Gaithersburg, Md., but trains in China. She is a winner of five North American titles. Her sister was forbidden from becoming an athlete due to the high demands of table tennis - she ended up earning a law degree. This will be Gao’s fourth appearance at the Olympics.
Born: January 25, 1969, in Hebei, China
Current Residence: Gaithersburg, Maryland
Ethnicity: Chinese
Height: 5′7″
Weight: 150 lbs
Did you know? When Jun was playing for the Chinese National Team, she took little notebooks to matches in which she recorded her opponent’s styles, allowing her to never make the same mistake twice.
Career highlights:
2007 Pan Am Games Women’s Singles Gold Medal
2004 Korea & Singapore ITTF Pro Tour Events Women’s Singles Quarterfinalist
2003 World Championships Women’s Singles Quarterfinalist
2003 Pan Am Games Women’s Singles & Team Gold Medal
2003 Korean ITTF Pro Tour Women’s Doubles Finalist
1999 Pan Am Games Women’s Singles Gold Medal
1999 2001 & 2002 North American Women’s Singles Champion
1999 2000 & 2001 North American Women’s Doubles Champion
1994 U.S. Open Women’s Singles Champion
1993 World Championships Women’s Team Champion
1993 World Championships Women’s Singles & Doubles Semifinalist
1992 Asian Cup Women’s Singles Runner-up
1992 Olympic Women’s Doubles Silver Medal
1991 World Championships Women’s Doubles Champion
1990 Asian Games Women’s Singles Runner-up
1990 & 1991 World Cup Women’s Team Champion
Photo sources:
Gao1 - usatt.org - photo by John Oros Copyright 1999
Gao2 - cache.daylife.com
Gao3 - Photo by Rémy Gros, by courtesy of the ITTF
Gao4 - vsbw.com
Gao5 - Photo by Rémy Gros, by courtesy of the ITTF
Gao6 - jamd.com
Gao7 - cache.daylife.com
Gao8 - cache.daylife.com
Gao9 - tabletennis.teamusa.org
Interview by Nancy Weng
What made you interested in table tennis?
When I was little, my parents chose the sport for me.
What were some of the obstacles you had to overcome in becoming a professional table tennis player?
There weren’t a lot of obstacles, but there was a lot of competition, so everybody had to train very hard.
Did you consider any other professions?
Never.
What is the best and worst part of being a professional table tennis player?
The best thing about being a professional table tennis player is that the sport teaches you how to face challenges in your life. There are no bad things about being a table tennis player.
What is your daily routine like?
I practice from 2:30-5 p.m.
Where do you see yourself 20 years from now?
The same, hopefully.
Do you have any advice for aspiring athletes?
Always focus and train hard.
Synchronized Swimming
April 27, 1980
Annabelle Orme
Born: March 9, 1987 in New York, NY
Current Residence: Walnut Creek, Calif.
Ethnicity: Hapa Chinese
Height: 5’3”
Event: Team
Did you know? Annabelle does a mean Pikachu voice for her friends and teammates.
Five-time national team member, Annabelle Orme will for the first time represent the U.S. at the Olympics in Beijing. Orme’s Olympic dreams began when she watched the Americans compete in the 2000 Games. Since then she has been on the Olympic path to success, making the junior national team, placing third in the duet at Nationals and contributing to a fifth-place finish at the World Championships.
In March 2007, Orme discovered she had two bulging discs in her back, which would keep her out of the pool for two and a half months. Recovering from the injury motivated her to continue to pursue her goal that has led to her current success as a member of the USA Olympic Synchronized Swimming team.
Career Highlights
2007 - Nominated to the 2007 U.S. Pan American and 2008 U.S. Olympic Teams
FINA World Championships: Combo 3rd, Team Tech 5th, Team Free 5th, Duet Tech 5th
FINA World Trophy Cup: Combo 2nd, Team 3rd
2006 U.S. National Championships: Duet 3rd, Team 4th
Swiss Open: Team 1st, Duet 3rd
FINA World Cup: Team 4th; FINA World Trophy Cup: Combo 1st, Team 4th
U.S. National Championships: Duet 4th, Team 3rd, Elements 2nd
2003 - U.S National Championships: Team 2nd, Duet 5th
Junior National Championships: Team 1st, Solo 6th, Figures 6th 2002
Junior National Championships: Team 1st, Duet 5th
U.S. National Championships: Team 7th; U.S. Age Groups: Solo 1st, Figures 2nd
United Airlines Open: Team 1st, Solo 1st, Figures 1st
2001 - Junior National Championships: Team 4th
Awards
2006 - USSS All-America Team I
2005 - USSS All-America Team I
2004 - USSS All-America Team I and USSS All-America Junior Team
Interview by Ivan Natividad
What is your favorite thing about synchronized swimming?
It mixes a lot of different sports into one, like dance, gymnastics and swimming. I did ballet, tap and gymnastics as a child, so it’s the perfect sport for me.
Becoming an Olympian takes a lot of dedication and time. Do you ever find yourself too preoccupied with the sport?
The sport definitely is my life. I’m comfortable with it now. A normal person wouldn’t get it right away, but I’m always with my best friend in practice. In high school, I’d miss the dance or prom because I’d have practice, but I don’t regret it.
You were injured with back problems for a couple of months last year. What was the hardest part of that?
The worst thing was not feeling part of the team - sitting on the sidelines, watching the team and knowing that I could not practice. But my teammates were very supportive. I am still performing with a cracked rib.
Most of your family resides in Australia. Do you relate more to being Australian or Chinese?
My mom’s entire family is Chinese. I’ve only been to China once, but I still relate to that side of my heritage.
As a Chinese American, how important is it that you will be going to China to compete in the Olympics?
It’s really special to me. I figured out in 2004 that the 2008 Olympics would be in China, and I knew that it was when I wanted to be part of the team. The Olympics being in China motivated me, and now that I’m on the team. It’ll make this Olympics more memorable.
Are you looking forward to going to the country of your family’s heritage?
I don’t know much about my Chinese side of the family. I would like to get to know that side of my culture.
Do you feel any added pressure?
No. We went there in April and hardly anyone asked if I was Chinese. I don’t know if anyone would know.
What are you looking forward to most in the actual competition?
I’m excited about the whole Olympic experience. We’ve seen our athletes compete in the past, but I hear it’s a whole other feeling. I can sense the excitement in the air.
What are your goals and team’s goals for the Olympics?
We try not to just focus on getting a medal. We want to have a great swim. We want to show everyone that the USA is back, and that we have passion and American spirit.
What is the weirdest thing that has happened to you in competition?
In an exhibition in San Diego, California, my suit, which has a strap on the side, fell, so I had to do the entire routine with my hand over my chest holding the suit up.
BECKY KIM - synchronized swimming
Born: Feb. 28, 1985 in Redwood City, Calif.
Current Residence: Redwood City, Calif.
Ethnicity: Korean
Height: 5′4″
Event: Team
Did you know?: Kim loves to bake. Banana bread is her specialty.
Before a performance that demands incredible strength and endurance as well as artistry, grace and precision, Becky Kim visualizes the routine in her head and pumps up to the universal favorite “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. An eight-time national team member, Kim helped the team to secure a berth at the Beijing games with a gold medal finish at the Pan American Games.
Kim redshirted her senior year at Ohio State in 2007 to join the U.S. Senior and World teams in international competitions. As a Buckeye, she switched her major from Korean to nutrition and plans to become an optometrist. If she were not a swimmer, Kim would be playing golf, figure skating or dancing and has also previously participated in figure skating and gymnastics. Not surprisingly, her favorite synchronized swimming move is the splits, which she explains jokingly as “the only thing I know I can get a perfect 10 on.”
Career Highlights:
2007 - Nominated to the 2007 U.S. Pan American and 2008 U.S. Olympic Teams; FINA World Championships: Combo 3rd, Team Tech 5th, Team Free 5th
2006 - Collegiate Nationals: Team 2nd, Trio 1st, Solo 2nd; U.S. National Championships: Solo 5th; Team 3rd; Swiss Open: Team 1st; FINA World Cup: Team 4th; FINA World Trophy Cup: Team 4th, Combo 1st
2005 - Collegiate Nationals: Team 2nd, Trio 2nd, Solo 2nd, Duet 2nd; U.S. National Championships: Team 4th, Duet 8th, Solo 10th; FINA World Championships: Team 4th
2004 - Collegiate National Championships: Team 1st, Duet 1st, Trio 1st; U.S. National Championships: Team 2nd, Solo 9th, Duet 4th; National Team Trials 6th
2003 - U.S. National Championshis: Team 2nd, Solo 8th; Duet 5th; Junior National Championships: Team 1st, Solo 2nd, Duet 1st
2002 - FINA Junior World Championships: Team 7th; U.S. National Championships: Team 2nd, Duet 9th, Solo 20th; Junior National Championships: Solo 4th, Duet 2nd, Team 1st, Figures 3rd; French Open: Team 1st
2001 - U.S. National Championships: Team 2nd, Duet 13th; Junior National Championships: Solo 8th, Duet 4th, Trio 1st, Figures 10th
2000 - U.S. Open: Duet, Team 1st
Honors:
2004-05 Most Outstanding Buckeye Swimmer Award
2003 All American Junior Award.
2003 All American Senior Award
Senior Walnut Creek Aquanut of the Year
2005 and 2006 USSS All-American Team
2002 USSS All-American Team II
2001 Jr. All-America Team
Interview by Vicki Mac
How do you feel knowing the Olympics are only weeks away?
A lot of anticipation, excitement. It’s kind of hard to grasp; my ultimate dream has come to an end. I want to soak up every minute of it. I want it to slow down and go in slow motion.
What do the Olympics mean to you as an athlete and an individual?
It’s a dream. I’ve learned so much and grown so much as a person being in the sport. Being raised in a Korean family and having teammates in the American culture, I experienced two families. It taught me to be very open and accept everyone for who they are - every shape, size, culture, background.
It also taught me about perseverance, never giving up. And also about being humble because our sport gets made fun of a lot, but I know who I am in this sport.
What is your training routine like?
Starting at 6:30 a.m. in the pool for 4 hours. Then cardio, weights, circus training, etcetera for 3 hours, then back in the pool. I train for 8 to 10 hours every day.
What is the greatest challenge you have overcome to get to where you are?
The daily grind. It’s been very rewarding, and I feel very healthy and energetic. But it’s physically hard to stay active for 8 straight hours.
What do you tell yourself to keep going?
It’s not just every four years, its everyday. I have to say a lot of prayers. It gets very difficult mentally, just cranking it for 14 years. But my discipline has grown; it’s become automatic. Right now I tell myself: live in the moment, don’t get sidetracked.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Laura Wilkonson because she’s endured a lot, and I admire her faith in God.
What’s next for you after the Games?
I’m planning to enroll again in Ohio State University and finish one more year of school. I want to get into nutrition and health to help people be healthy and happy in a natural way. It feels good to eat right and be active.
Is there something else you would like to be known for?
My goal is to be a positive role model. I always try to live my life to love people - to carry someone up who’s having a bad day or give them a hug, simple acts of kindness.
Have you had the opportunity to touch someone’s life as a role model?
She is kind of like my little sister who considers me her hero. She’s been on the Junior Team and she’s Korean American too. I find that a lot of Asian American girls come up to me and tell me “I love you, you’re my hero.” You don’t see a lot of Korean Americans going to the Olympics, representing America. I’m so happy to be a role model for these Asian American athletes.
Swimming
April 27, 1980
Natalie Coughlin
Born: August 23, 1982, in Emeryville, Calif.
Current Residence: Lafayette, Calif.
Ethnicity: Hapa Filipino
Height: 5′8″
Weight: 130 lbs.
Events: 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 4×100m freestyle relay, 4×200m freestyle relay, 4×100m medley relay
Did you know? Coughlin is the first woman to finish the 100m backstroke in under 59 seconds.
Natalie Coughlin first began swimming at the local YWCA when she was only 10months old. In 1998, at age 15, she became the first swimmer to qualify for the Summer National in all 14 events. Natalie graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2004, with a degree in Psychology. Now that she is out of school, she enjoys cooking and photography. Besides swimming, Coughlin enjoys running, cycling, kickboxing, yoga and weight training. She feels that experiencing sports out of the water makes her a more well-rounded athlete.
Career Highlights
2008
Olympic Qualifier - 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 4×100m freestyle relay, 4×200m freestyle relay, 4×100m medley relay
2007
Santa Clara Grand Prix - Gold, 400m FR-R; Gold, 100m FL; Gold, 100m FR
World Championships - Gold, 100m BK (WR); Gold, 200m FR (AR); Gold, 800m FR-R (WR); Silver, 400m FR-R (AR); Silver, 400m MED-R; Bronze, 100m FL (AR)
2006
Pan Pacific Champs - Gold, 400m FR-R; Gold, 800m FR-R; Gold, 400m MED-R
2005
World Championships - Bronze, 400m FR-R
2004
Olympic Games - Gold, 800m FR-R (WR); Silver, 400m FR-R (AR); Silver, 400m MED-R; Gold, 100m BK; Bronze, 100m FR
2003
NCAA Swimmer of the Year
NCAA First Three-Time Title Holder in 100m, 200m backstroke, 100 butterfly
Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year
ESPY Award Nominee - Best Female Collegiate Athlete, Best Record-Breaking Performance
FINA World Championships Gold and Silver, 400m Free and Medley
World Champs - Gold, 400m FR-R; Silver, 400m MED-R
2002
NCAA Swimmer of the Year
2001
USA Swimming Athlete of the Year
Pan-Pacific Championships, 6 Record-Tying Medals
Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year and Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year - first time in history for athlete to be named both in same year.
Softball
April 27, 1980
Lovieanne Jung
Lovieanne Jung, 28, won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where she was one of five Americans to start in all nine games. This will be Jung’s second Olympic games. She is also a two-time World Cup Champion and a two-time Pan American Gold medalist.
She attended the University of Arizona and is a member of the NPF All-Star team. She was born in Honolulu, Hawai‘i but was raised in Westminster, Calif. Jung has an English bulldog named Hoku (meaning “star” in Hawaiian) and a pitbull named Gator. Her long-time boyfriend Jon Garland plays for the Los Angeles Angels. Her mother named her after the Gilligan’s Island character Lovie Howell.
Born: January 11, 1980 in Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Current Residence: Tucson, Arizona
Ethnicity: Chinese, Lithuanian, Filipino, Spanish, Hawaiian
Height: 5′6″
Position: Second base
Did you know?: Jung aspires to become a firefighter.
Career Highlights
• Two-time World Cup Champion (2006 & 2007)
• Two-time Pan American Gold medalist (2003 & 2007)
• Two-time World Champion (2002 & 2006)
• Olympic Gold medalist (2004)
• Gold medalist at Pan Am qualifier (2005)
• Silver medalist at ISF Junior Women’s World Championship (1999)
At the Univ. of Arizona
• First Team NFCA All-American (2002 & 2003)
• First-Team All Pacific Region (2002 & 2003)
• Top three finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year (2003)
• Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year (2003)
• Led NCAA in homeruns (25), slugging percentage and RBIs (81)
• Two-time First-team All-Pac 10 (2002 & 2003)
• Appeared in two Women’s College World Series (2002 & 2003)
Interview by Nancy Weng
What made you interested in softball?
Softball was something I started doing so I wasn’t bored as a child and didn’t have to stay home. I did workouts and played around at a recreation ball place, and a coach asked me if I wanted to play travel ball. The rest is history.
What were some of the obstacles you had to overcome in becoming a professional softball player?
One was playing the middle infield. I always wanted to play those positions (shortstop and second base), and many people told me over the years that I would never play there because I was too small. I usually played outfield and catcher, but I was determined and, when I got to college I took weight lifting as a class and did a lot of conditioning in order to earn my spot in the middle infield.
Did ever you consider any other professions?
After the Olympics, I plan to train to be a firefighter.
What is your daily routine like?
I wake up at 7 a.m. and do a conditioning and weight workout until around 11 or noon and then go eat lunch. After lunch, I take care of my dogs and then head to the field around 1 or 2 p.m. for hitting and ground ball work. Then it is back at home for dinner and rest.
How do you feel knowing that the Olympics are coming up soon?
I am really excited for it to be here! We do a tour before the games and traveling all over, so I am excited to be in one place for a long time in order to focus and win the gold.
What are your plans after the Olympics?
Go back to Tucson and train for firefighting and EMT class. I also plan to travel.
Who is your role model?
My parents. They were young when they had my brother and I and didn’t really have a lot of money. But they made the best of it and raised us to be good people.
If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
Albert Einstein. I would love pick his brain.
Do you have any advice for aspiring athletes?
Never give up.
Soccer
April 27, 1980
NATASHA KAI - SOCCER
Born: May 22, 1983, in Kahuku, Hawai‘i
Current Residence: Kahuku, Hawai‘i
Ethnicity: Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Caucasian
Height: 5′8″
Weight: 143 lbs.
Event: Women’s soccer
Position: Forward
Did you know? Kai has anywhere from 11 to 15 tattoos. Some tattoos are poems, while others are of the hibiscus, Hawai‘i’s state flower.
Hailing from a soccer background in Hawai‘i where football and baseball are more popular, Natasha Kanani Janine Kai is the first female player from Hawai‘i to not only train with the U.S. national team but also make the women’s World Cup team. Naturally, she feels some pressure to represent her native Hawai‘i. But the forward looks to be headed for soccer stardom.
Kai enjoyed a stellar career at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, where she was selected Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year an unprecedented three times and garnered a Gatorade Player of the Year her senior season after leading her team to its first division title in history. Upon graduation in 2001, she also claimed a long list of accomplishments in track, volleyball, basketball and cross-country. Not to outshine her athletic skill, Kai’s style, including tattoos and on-field flair, also draws rapt attention from fans.
Career Highlights:
2007: Played in seven games heading into the final pre-Women’s World Cup match, starting four with two assists and one goal, in a 2-0 win over China at the Four Nations Tournament, giving the U.S. the tournament title. Was one of the final three players chosen for the 2007 U.S. Women’s World Cup team
2006: Women’s national team debut at 2006 Algarve Cup in Portugal, scoring in her first two games, both as a substitute. Played in 17 games in her first year on the National Team, while starting four. Became just the fourth player in U.S. women’s national team history to score in her first two caps. Scored four goals in her first seven women’s national team matches, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Japan on May 9, 2006.
2004: Leading scorer in the U.S. U-21 women’s national team with 12 goals, helped lead the U-21s to the Nordic Cup title in Iceland, scoring three goals.
Natasha’s tattoo reads “Appreciate the Moment, The most precious treasure on earth is MY heart…When I share it with YOU, protect it as if it was your own…”
Congratulations Natasha for winning the GOLD!!!
Shooting
April 27, 1980
Sandra Fong
Sandra Fong, who goes by the nickname “Sandy,” began shooting at the age of 12. Now 18, the first-time Olympian will be heading to Beijing in the summer and Princeton University as a freshman in the fall. For the Fongs, shooting is a family sport. Her older sister Abigail, who also attends Princeton, competed alongside Sandra in the Olympic trials but missed her chance for Beijing. Her younger sister Danielle, who has cerebral palsy, will be competing in shooting at the Paralympics in Beijing in September. Her dad, a Hong Kong native, also shoots, while their mom helps them prepare for competitions. Sandra, who was her high school’s girls varsity swim captain, swam competitively as a child but chose to focus solely on shooting outside of school. However, she has used swimming to help her train for shooting.
Career Highlights
2008
- U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shooting (Smallbore), second place in Women’s 3-Position Rifle, qualifying for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team
- Smallbore Champion, Junior Olympic Rifle Championships
2007
- Junior Silver Medalist in smallbore 3P at the USAS National Championships
2006
- World Championships (Zagreb) competed in smallbore 3P, prone, and air rifle
- Junior Silver Medalist in air rifle at the USAS National Championships
- National J3 record holder for 50 m prone and 3P air rifle
Born: April 15, 1990 in New York, NY
Current Residence: New York, NY
Ethnicity: Hapa Chinese
Event: 50m rifle three position
Did you know?: Sandra always listens to the same playlist before she shoots. “My iPod and I are best friends,” she said.
Interview by Steffi Lau
How did you get involved in shooting?
My dad did it in high school, and six years ago he picked up a rifle again, after 20-something odd years. He got into shooting and loved the community. He brought us out to the range, and it turned into a family sport.
What is the shooting community like?
It’s the kindest, most generous sports community I’ve been involved in, and I’ve been involved in sports since I was seven. It’s really like a family; it fosters people doing well. The biggest thing to showcase that was when I was going to championships, and people forgot to tell me that I was competing in one event, so I didn’t have half my equipment. But everyone was kind enough to lend me their equipment, and I ended up competing and winning for my age group with other people’s equipment.
What was it like competing with your sister Abigail to make it to the Olympics?
The weeks leading up to the match were stressful for the two of us, since we were both trying to get into that mental preparation. We really can’t think of each other as family on the range. As much as I love Abby, and I know she loves me, on the range, we’re just competitors. It was hard. She was happy for me but was obviously very disappointed she didn’t make the team.
Do you get asked about sibling rivalry often?
It’s not so much rivalry, but a way to push each other to get better each time. We’re both training partners, so we’re always striving to shoot better.
Your sister Danielle is going to Beijing for the Paralympics in September. What’s it like to be both going?
I’m so proud of her because she’s worked so hard to get where she is. When she was born, they told her she wouldn’t be able to walk, and she does; that she wouldn’t be able to talk, and she does; that she wouldn’t be able to go to a normal school, and she does. She’s a three-season athlete and captain of a club team. She works hard to attain her goal through discipline.
Can you speak Chinese?
Only a little bit of Cantonese. It’s enough to talk a little bit with my grandparents and order lots of dim sum.
What are the reactions you get when people find out you’re in shooting?
It’s actually surprising the positive feedback I get. More often they’re impressed, and ask questions instead of dismissing it.
You’re going off to Princeton in the fall.
I’m very excited to start college. I’ll be going to Princeton alongside Abby. So we’ll be pushing each other academically as well.
Did the fact that she attends Princeton play into your decision to go there?
I was looking for strong academic colleges with a shooting team. I was choosing between MIT and Princeton; though MIT had a NCAA team, Princeton only has a club team. But in the end, Princeton ended up offering more for me in terms of extracurriculars, and I knew that with Abby, I would have a world-class training partner even in a club team.
What’s the difference between a NCAA team and a club team?
A NCAA team competes in the NCAA league and under the NCAA rules. Those tend to be the higher caliber teams with more funding. However, Princeton is a club team, which means it competes within a regional league (the Mid-Atlantic Conference) rather than a national one and is mostly run by student interest. However, they are both competitive teams; it just depends upon the shooters who make up the team.
What will you be majoring in?
I will be doing pre-med, which isn’t a major. So I’m undecided, but I’m looking somewhere in business or media.
Would you say shooting is dangerous sport?
It’s far less dangerous than any other sport. There are lots of precautions. The rifle is always pointed to a paper target. People always worry about shooting, but I tell them I’d be more worried about wrestling or gymnastics, where you could break bones.
Judo
April 27, 1980
Sayaka Matsumoto
Sayaka Matsumoto was born in Japan and raised in the Bay Area. She began studying judo at the age of 5 under the instruction of her father. Her love for judo drove her to six consecutive national titles and seven championships overall. At17, Matsumoto missed out on the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games when the team was selected through a point system instead of trials. After Sydney, Matsumoto became the top-ranked judoka until the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens when the United States fell one slot short of qualifying. At the 2008 U.S. Olympic team trials, however, she won the event and qualified for her first Olympic games.
Basic Info
Born: December 5, 1982 in Omiya, Japan
Hometown: Richmond, Calif.
Current Residence: El Cerrito, Calif.
Ethnicity: Japanese
Height: 5′2″
Weight: 106 lbs
Event: 48 kg Judo
Did you know?: Matsumoto and her boyfriend have two cats; one of them is named after her boyfriend’s favorite judo player, Koga.
Recent Career Highlights:
2008:
* Gold - U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo
* Silver - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Silver - Olympic Zone Cup
* Fifth - Pan American Championships
2007:
* Gold - Finnish Open
* Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Gold - Fall Classic National Championships
* Bronze - U.S. Open
* Fifth - Rendez-Vous Canada
* Fifth - British Open
2006:
* Silver - U.S. Open
* Silver - Finnish Open
* Silver - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Bronze - Pan American Championships
2005:
* Gold - Puerto Rico Open
* Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Bronze - Pan American Championships
* Bronze - U.S. Open
* Bronze - Rendez-Vous Canada
2004:
* Gold - U.S. Olympic Trials, weight not qualified to attend
* Gold - Fall Classic Nationals
* Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships (52kg)
* Silver - U.S. Open
* Fifth - Rendez Vous Canada
* Fifth - Pan American Championships
Interview by Michelle-Linh Nguyen
How did you first get interested in judo?
My father’s the head instructor of our judo club. He took over the dojo when I was just a baby. It was just like, one day, “You’re going to start doing judo now.”
What motivates you?
Training everyday, I sacrificed a lot: partying, going out with friends and being in school plays. What motivates me is my love of judo and the feeling that hard work pays off. It’s fun to be successful.
Is drama something you’re interested in?
I was really interested in doing musicals in high school. I like singing and being in front of people and being loud. I wanted to be in the school plays, but I couldn’t because judo practice was at the same time as the rehearsals. Maybe I’ll realize my dream in 10 years on Broadway. Anything’s possible!
You studied Mass Communications at UC Berkeley. What’s your most memorable moment from your college years?
My first year I lived in the dorms, and there was a group of girls that got really close. It was the first time I had lived away from home. I didn’t get to experience all of the social stuff, but I did get to do things like shopping and eating at 2 in the morning - that didn’t help me when I was making weight.
You took some time off from college to train. What effect did that have on your college experience?
I took three semesters off. By the time I got back, most of the other people were on their way out. In that sense, I focused more on going to classes rather than the social stuff.
You teach at the East Bay Judo Institute. Are there any rules you make sure to teach your students?
We try to teach the philosophy of judo. It’s not just a sport where you try to beat people up and win. It instills self-confidence. It teaches you to be humble and have manners, integrity and respect for others. We’ve been taught this as instructors - most of us were students of the institute ourselves. We try to pass the message on to our students.
Do you have any advice for an aspiring judo athlete?
For some sports it’s either like you’re born for it or not; there’s a certain type of body. But judo really is a sport where you can be any size, any height, and if you work really hard you can be really great.
Have you faced any stigma being a female in this sport?
I mean, there are probably more males; it’s a contact sport. But women’s judo has come a long way. It was only in 1996 that it was officially in the Olympics, so it’s only been 12 years since we’ve been included. There are definitely more women doing judo now. I’ve never experienced a stigma; some people crack jokes like “Oh, it’s just women’s judo…” but I don’t take it personally.
Do you hear a lot of “Asian-Martial Arts” cracks?
Not really. They’re not necessarily Asian cracks, but I do get a lot of misconceptions of what judo is. Like the “judo chop.” There’s no chopping in judo; it’s throwing and chokeholds. I used to get the Oh-you-do-judo-you-want-to-fight-me-? thing, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s because I’m Asian.
When someone sees an Asian, they automatically think they’re Chinese. So when people find out I do judo, they automatically think I do karate, just because it’s more well known. They categorize all martial arts into one: karate.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I see myself being a successful judo coach, probably not competing anymore. I definitely want to coach athletes, and I want to do something with my major that I enjoy - maybe even be a reporter!
Taylor Takata
Taylor Takata, born and raised in Hawai‘i, staked his claim on the sport of judo first at 60kg, where he represented the U.S. at both the Junior and Senior World Championships. He has won gold and silver medals at the Senior National Championship and U.S. Open and is a two-time Pan American champion. In 2004, he moved up to the 66kg division and missed out on an Olympic ticket after he lost to a two-time Olympian. This year, he was the top seed and earned a ticket to Beijing.
Takata recently dropped by his alma mater, ‘Iolani School, on his way to Beijing to hold a judo clinic for youths. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported that Takata’s message to the youths was simple: “It’s not about the winning; it’s about the doing your best.”
Basic Info
Born: April 6, 1982, in Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Hometown: Wahiawa, Hawai‘i
Current Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Ethnicity: Japanese
Height: 5′5″
Weight: 145 lbs.
Event: 66 kg Judo
Did you know? Takata’s girlfriend is also his coach, Danieska Carrion. Takata said that Carrion, who is Cuban, is improving her English, while he understands some Spanish.
Recent Career Highlights
2008:
* Gold - 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo
* Bronze - Olympic Zone Cup Qualifier
* Bronze - Jose Ramon Rodriguez Championships
* Bronze - Pan American Zone Cup medalist
2007:
* Gold -FEDOJUDO International Cup
* Silver - U.S. Open
* Silver - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Silver - Rendez-Vous Canada
* Silver - USA Judo Fall Classic National Championships
* Silver - New York Open
* Bronze - Jose Ramon Rodriguez Championships (Cuba)
* Bronze - Finnish Open
* Bronze - Benito Juarez Championships
2006:
* Gold - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Gold - New York Open
* Fifth - Pan American Championships
* Fifth - U.S. Open
2005:
* Silver - New York Open
* Bronze - USA Judo Senior National Championships
* Bronze - British Open
* Bronze - Rendez-Vous Canada
Gymnastics
April 27, 1980
Kevin Tan
Born: September 24, 1981 in Fremont, Calif.
Current Residence: Fremont, Calif.
Favorite Event: Rings
Ethnicity: Chinese
Did you know?: Tan hates pizza.
Bio
Kevin Tan, a 27-year-old Bay Area native, began gymnastics in 1988 at the age of seven. Growing up as a hyper active child, Tan used gymnastics as a way to get out of the house and into something productive. Tan attended Pennsylvania State Univ., where he was a member of the school’s 2004 NCAA Championship Team, contributing as a six-time All-American and the team’s first back-to-back NCAA champion on still rings. Tan represented the United States at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in November 2005, and he was captain of the men’s team for the 2006 World Championships. Tan’s parents moved from China to Hong Kong in the late 1940s and then to California, where his father attended Stanford University. His Chinese name is Kai Wen.
Career Highlights
2008
- U.S. Olympic Team Trials — Gymnastics, Philadelphia, Pa.: 1st in Still Rings.
- USA vs. Canada, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: made 1st-Team in Pommel Horse and Still Rings.
- Visa Championships, Houston, Texas: 1st in Still Rings
- Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2007
- Internationaux de France - World Cup, Paris, France: 1st in Still Rings
- Visa Championships, San Jose, Calif.: 1st in Still Rings
- Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2006
- Visa Championships, St. Paul, Minn.: 1st in Still Rings
- 2006 Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2005
- Visa Championships, Indianapolis, Ind.: 2nd in Still Rings
- 2005 Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 2nd in Still Rings
2004
- Visa Championships, Nashville, Tenn.: 2nd in Still Rings
- 2004 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, Champaign, Ill.: Made the 1st-Team
- 2004 Winter Cup, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
2003
- NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, Philadelphia, Pa.: 1st in Still Rings, 3rd in Team competition.
- 2003 Winter Cup Challenge, Las Vegas, Nev.: 1st in Still Rings
You have been consistently successful in gymnastics. What do you attribute your success to?
I was a very hyperactive child. My parents felt it would be good to channel that energy into gymnastics. At first it was one of many sports that I played, along with golf, baseball and tennis. As I got older, I stuck with it because I loved it so much. My success comes from my love of the sport. I really enjoy the still rings event; it has always been something I have been able to do naturally.
On past gymnastics teams, you have been nominated as team captain. Why have your teammates considered you to be such a leader?
The team captain is voted on by the team, which is a great honor. I think I am considered a leader because of my demeanor. To be a good leader, you need to have confidence and calmness. You should be able to lead by example and speak up when you know something needs to be addressed.
As the only Asian Pacific American on the team, do you feel a sense of pride representing the community?
Being part of the Asian American community is something that I am very proud of, and going to the Olympics to represent America as an Asian American is very rewarding. To be able to represent that community is a great thing.
With the Olympics being held in Beijing, is there any added pressure you feel as a Chinese American going back to your parent’s homeland of China?
Not at all; I think it makes it that much better. To be able to go back to the country where my father grew up and lived, and experience the tradition and culture that he lived through is something special.
Going into the Olympic competition, what are your greatest goals and challenges?
We want to obtain a team medal, preferably the gold medal, and for me I hope to make it to the still ring final and to the podium for a medal. Our greatest challenges are going to be realizing that we are in the Olympics, and that it is a great opportunity for all of us. Another challenge for us is being able to give consistent, sharp and clean routines.
If you could give any advice to APA athletes looking to compete at the Olympic level, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that nothing is impossible, and if you really want success you need to give it all you have in the gym. You need to do everything you can to reach your goals.