Site Products
Lily Zhang Looks Ahead to National Title Defense in Vegas

Lily Zhang Looks Ahead to National Title Defense in Vegas

Lily Zhang Looks Ahead to National Title Defense in Vegas

(BY MATT HETHERINGTON)
Lily Zhang Looks Ahead to National Title Defense in Vegas
Lily Zhang stood on center court at the Brooklyn Bowl a year ago holding the pressure, surrounded by spectators on both ground level and on the mezzanine above. On that occasion she won her third US National Women’s Singles title over her Rio Olympic Teammate Jiaqi Zheng.

July 7th she hopes to have earned her place in the final again, this time to be hosted by The Silverton Hotel and Casino, where she will aim to claim her 4th National Title. Celebrating her 21st birthday this past week, Lily Zhang admits that she used to dread the pressure of nationals, but has come to embrace it over the years.

I’ve really learned to channel that pressure into a feeling of pure anticipation and adrenaline‘ – Lily Zhang.

And no doubt the competition will offer the adrenaline she desires. Over 750 players will travel to Las Vegas and the Women’s Singles Event is one of the main events, Lily will battle not only for the title but for the $8,000 top prize.

She recognizes that the road will be tough with two other Olympians in the Women’s Singles draw – her Rio 2016 teammate Yue Wu and 2008 Beijing Quarterfinalist Wang Chen. Zhang is able to step back and look at the big picture, citing that any current or former national team members could potentially pose a threat. Her mindset is not to underestimate any opponent and to play every match with an equal amount of dedication and fight to win.

The new venue at The Silverton Hotel and Casino looks to continue a growing tradition in hosting major finals sessions in exciting new venues to improve the promotion of table tennis as a competitive sport.

It’s really refreshing to see a new spin on table tennis. It shows off a more fun side of table tennis that’s both entertaining and professional.

I hope the changes will bring more exposure to the sport.‘ – Lily Zhang.

Zhang will join hundreds of other athletes, competing in over 95 different table tennis events – from teams, singles and doubles to National Youth Team trials and the trial for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games – an event in which Zhang won America’s first ever Olympic Table Tennis Medal.

For full article, please click here

Latest News

Portland Streaks, Princeton Debuts – Bensenville Awaits.

October 22, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) [caption id="attachment_270459" align="alignleft" width="368"] WEEK 4 PREVIEW: CHICAGO[/caption]          … Read More

Keep Your Racket Above the Table Surface

October 22, 2025
Serve, short game, flip with defense to offense (wait function) Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short backspin… Read More

Use a lot of Wrist and Forearm

October 21, 2025
Serve, short game, flip with defense to offense (wait function) Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short backspin… Read More

Never Use “Full Power”

October 21, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) When you see a ball you can put away, mentally (and possibly physically) your eyes… Read More

Pan Am Teams: Argentina and Puerto Rico Score Gold, TeamUSA Settles for Two Silvers

October 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The Americans were the second seed in the Men’s Team event, and they performed exactly… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Greater Vancouver Table Tennis Club

October 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Founded in 2019 by Wilson Peng Zhang, the Greater Vancouver Table Tennis Club (GVTTC) is… Read More

Butterfly Training Tips with Maybelline Bravo – Backhand Loop & Pivot Forehand Loop

October 20, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tip Maybelline is executing Backhand Loop, then a pivot and Forehand… Read More

Nishant Lebaka – Forehand Smash Changing Position

October 19, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Nishant Lebaka is focusing on his Forehand Smash from the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.