My name is Stuti Kashyap, and I am a 17-year-old table tennis player representing Antigua and Barbuda. Table tennis has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, and over the years it has become much more than just a sport to me. It has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep working toward something even when the results don’t come right away. Some of my best memories and biggest challenges have come through table tennis, and I am grateful for everything it has given me. Through the sport, I have had the opportunity to travel to different countries, compete against some of the world’s best young players, and gain experiences that have helped shape me both on and off the table.

The last two years have been some of the most important of my career so far. In 2024, I competed in my first Caribbean Youth Championships and became the U15 Caribbean Girls’ Singles Champion. It was a special moment for me because it was the result of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief from the people around me. Later that year, I moved into the U19 category and was able to win the silver medal in U19 Girls’ Singles at the Caribbean Championships. I also earned a bronze medal at the ITTF Pan American Youth Championships and qualified for the Junior Pan American Games. Looking back, those achievements gave me confidence and showed me that I could compete with some of the strongest players in the region.

This year has been another exciting step forward in my journey. I was proud to win both the U19 Caribbean Girls’ Singles and U19 Caribbean Girls’ Doubles titles, accomplishments that meant a lot to me because of everything that went into achieving them. Beyond the medals, I have continued competing in WTT events around the world, gaining valuable experience against players from different countries and styles of play. Every tournament teaches me something new, whether it’s about my game, my mindset, or how to handle difficult situations under pressure. Those experiences have helped me reach career-high world rankings of No. 25 in U17 and No. 50 in U19, while currently being ranked No. 36 in U17 and No. 66 in U19.

What I love most about table tennis is that there is always another challenge waiting for you. No matter how well you play, there is always something to improve and another goal to work toward. The sport has taught me how to stay patient during difficult periods, how to learn from losses, and how to keep pushing myself to be better. It has also introduced me to people from all over the world and allowed me to build friendships and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Those experiences are just as valuable to me as any ranking or medal.

Right now, my focus is on preparing for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and continuing to develop my game at the highest level possible. Looking further ahead, my dream is to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. I know there is still a lot of work ahead of me, but that is what motivates me every day. I am excited to see how far I can go and to continue challenging myself against the best players in the world.

None of this would be possible without the support of the people who have been with me throughout this journey. I am incredibly grateful to my family, coaches, training partners, teammates, and everyone who has supported me along the way. I would also like to give a special thank you to Butterfly Americas for their continued support and belief in me. Their partnership has been an important part of my development, and I am proud to be a member of the Butterfly family. As I continue my journey, I look forward to representing both Butterfly and Antigua and Barbuda with pride and giving my best every time I step to the table.

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