March 8 is International Women’s Day. It’s a global celebration of women’s achievements – and an opportunity to highlight the various accomplishment of women. Across the United States, ours is a sport with more gender parity than most. In rating events, men and women routinely compete in many of the same events, and at the highest levels, WTT events provide near parity event prizes. As a part of our recognition of this auspicious day, we’d like to shine a spotlight on women sponsored by Bowmar Sports, Butterfly North and South America. These women not only excel in the sport of table tennis, but they serve as role models and inspiration for others.
Arantxa Cossio Aceves is a Mexican player known for agility and precision. She has risen to be one of the top players in the sport in this hemisphere. USA’s Angela He, is a rising star with great footwork and consistent power and her list of tournament achievements includes important events from the US Open and Nations to the Junior Pan American Championships. Olivia Huang is a talented teen player from Canada. In 2013 she was Canada’s top ranked U13 girl, and in 2024 she finished first in U15 at the Pan American Selection tournament.
Tiffany Ke is another American known for her exceptional skills. At the 2024 US Nationals, she scored third place in both Women’s Singles and U21 Women Singles. Amber Lin, representing Canada, has shown remarkable talent and dedication to the sport. Her impressive track record speaks volumes about her commitment and hard work. Last year, Yi-Shiuan Lin was Canda’s top U12 girl and Canada’s U13 Girls Team Champion. USA’s Amber Liu won Gold in U15 Girls Singles at the 2023 WTT Youth Contender Charleston, and at the last US Nationals, she finished second in U10 Girls Double.
In Ecuador, Karolayn Maldonado, is already a well-known talent. Her 2024 results speak for themselves – four medals at the South American School Championship, first place in U15 Girls Singles at the WTT Youth Contender in Cuenca Ecuador, and four first place medals at the Ecuador National Championships in U14 singles, team, doubles, and mixed doubles events. Another Ecuadorian star is Maybelline Menendez, she took a pair of third place medals at the South American Championships (Women’s Team and Women’s Doubles), and she took top honors in winning the Singles title of the 2023 South American Championships.
USA’s Sally Moyland has been an overachiever since coming on the scene in 2016. She has shined at Team Trials, the Nationals, and WTT events. In 2024, she won the U17 girls’ event at the WTT Youth Contender San Francisco, and finished second in U19 girls. She also won the Women’s Singles event at the Part 3 Adult National Team Trials and was first alternate on the Olympic Team. Tashiya and Tiana Piyadasa are a talented pair of sisters with Tashiya starting the year off at No. 13 in U15 Girls World Ranking, and Tiana starting the year as No. 19 in the U13 Rankings.
Chile’s Catalina Ramirez is a dynamic player who is Ranked No. 19 in U15 Girls. In 2024 she finished first in U15 Singles at the South American Championships and won the U15 Singles event at the Chile Nationals.
Rachel Sung, representing the USA, is a rising star in the table tennis community. Her powerful serves and strategic gameplay have made her a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Emily Tan played for the Chicago Wind in the MLTT and finished 3rd in the U19 Girls Singles event at the US Junior National Team Trials. In 2024, USA’s Rachel Wang was runner up in U19 Girls Doubles at the Pan American Youth Championships, and at the National Team Trials she finished first in U17 Girls and second in U19 Girls.
Canadian Jessie Xu swept the Canadian Championships in 2024, winning Women’s Singles Gold at the Canadian Senior Championships, and winning Gold in U19 Singles, U19 Team, and U17 Singles at the Canadian Junior Championships. USA’s Isabella Xu won U19 Girls Doubles at the US Nationals last year, and had a series of great results in 2023 including winning U17 Girls Singles at the WTT Youth Contender in Colombia. Irene Yeoh recently won U17 Girls Singles at the WTT Youth Contender in San Francisco. In 2024, she logged more than 10 titles in 2024 including winning U13 Girls Singles at the 2024 Nationals. Canada’s Cindy Zhu won U11 Girls Singles at the WTT Youth Contender in Asuncion in 2024. At the Canadian Championships, she won U11 Girls Singles, and repeated that feat at the 2024 WTT Youth Contender in Westchester.
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the contributions of all women to the sport of table tennis. Bowmar Sports is dedicated to doing our part to support these great players.
