As all teams are preparing for Chengdu, Team Canada emerges as a compelling blend of seasoned expertise and youthful vigor, with two experienced veterans and four rising stars. The iconic table tennis players of Canada, Eugene Wang and Mo Zhang, both multi-time Olympians, will lead Ivy Liao, Jessie Xu, Edward Ly and Simeon Martin to fight for honour.
Currently ranked 45th in mixed doubles, Zhang and Wang bagged a qualification for Tokyo 2020 proving their competitive prowess. In women’s doubles, Team Canada can once again rely on Zhang and her partner Ivy. The pair currently holds the 35th ranking.
TEAM CANADA (#18 seed)
Mo ZHANG (World No.84)
The 34-year-old Mo Zhang has been a considerable force on the international circuit scene for well over a decade. From Beijing 2008, she has been selected into Canadian Olympic Team for four times. Zhang achieved a career-high world ranking in Women’s Singles of 19th in December 2018. At Tokyo 2020, she advanced to the Round of 16 in women’s singles, matching Canada’s best-ever Olympic result in the event.
Ivy LIAO (World No.412)
Inspired by Lily Zhang (USA) and Michelle Li (Badminton player from Canada), 22-year-old Liao has followed their steps to build her own success by winning bronze as part of the women’s team at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games and bronze in women’s singles at 2022 Canadian Championships.
Jessie XU
15-year-old Jessie Xu is the youngest player within Team Canada. Starting playing table tennis from 5 years old, Xu has proved that she is a promising player with multiple medals. In 2023 Canadian Championships, Jessie won U19 girls’ singles gold medal so that she has qualified for the 2023 Pan American Championships at such a young age.
Eugene WANG (World No.66)
The 38-year-old Eugene Wang has represented Team Canada at three Olympic Games and two Pan American Games. Wang won two medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, claiming mixed doubles gold with Mo Zhang and taking a second straight bronze in men’s singles.
Edward LY (World No.170)
Edward Ly is 20 years old. He showed his potential in continental stage in the past few years. Ly was three-time medallist at the Pan American Junior Championships (2021 – bronze in boys’ singles, silver in mixed doubles; 2019 – bronze in boys’ team).
Simeon MARTIN (World No.871)
Two years younger than Ly, Martin is another talented young generation player in Team Canada. He won Canadian Championship singles titles at three different levels: U13 in 2018, U15 in 2019, and U19 in 2022 and 2023.
With a lineup comprising experienced veterans and promising young stars, the anticipation builds for the surprises that Team Canada may unveil in Chengdu!
*Rankings according to latest on 21/11/2023
