Lily Ann Zhang (born June 16, 1996) is an American professional table tennis player who has represented the United States in three Olympic Games, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.
She is a six-time US National Champion in Women's Singles, having won the titles in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022. Zhang has been ranked as high as #2 in the Cadet (U-15) world ranking and #5 in the Junior (U-18) world ranking.
Her notable achievements include a bronze medal in Women's Singles and Women's Team at the 2011 Pan American Games, winning the Women's Doubles title at the 2011 Qatar Peace and Sport Cup, and becoming the first US athlete to win a bronze medal in table tennis at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics.
Born in Redwood City, California, to Chinese parents, Zhang's family resided on the Stanford University campus, where her father was a mathematics professor, and her mother played for her province's table tennis team in Xi'an, China.
Lily Zhang's Olympic Medals Wins
Lily Zhang has not won an Olympic medal to date. Despite her impressive skills and achievements in table tennis, an Olympic medal has eluded her thus far in her appearances at the 2012 London, 2016 Rio, and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lily Zhang's Medals Breakdown
World Championships
Although Lily Zhang has not won a medal at the World Table Tennis Championships in the singles or women's doubles events, she won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event at the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships.
Summer Olympics
Lily Zhang has participated in three Olympic Games, representing the United States in table tennis. Here's a breakdown of her Olympic performances:
2020 Tokyo Olympics: 17th (Singles), 9th (Team)
2016 Rio Olympics: 17th (Singles), 9th (Team)
2012 London Olympics: 49th (Singles), 9th (Team)
Lily Zhang's Olympic Appearances
Lily Zhang has competed in three Olympic Games to date:
2020 Tokyo Olympics
2016 Rio Olympics
2012 London Olympics
Her first Olympic appearance was at the 2012 London Olympics, where she was the youngest player in the table tennis competition at the age of 16.
Lily Zhang's Records & Achievements
Six-time US National Champion in Women's Singles (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022)
Ranked as high as #2 in the cadet (U-15) world ranking
Ranked as high as #5 in the junior (U-18) world ranking
Bronze medalist in Women's Singles and Women's Team at the 2011 Pan American Games
Winner of the Women's Doubles title at the 2011 Qatar Peace and Sport Cup
First-ever US athlete to win a bronze medal in table tennis at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics
Lily Zhang's Olympic Journey
Lily Zhang's Olympic journey began at a young age when she showed promising skill in table tennis. At the age of 7, she started training professionally under Dennis Davis, the president and head coach of the Palo Alto Table Tennis Club.
By the age of 11, Zhang made the U.S. Cadet Team, and at 12, she became the youngest player ever to make it to the U.S. Women's Team. At 13, she was ranked #2 in the Junior Women's category in the United States.
Zhang qualified for her first Olympic Games in 2012 at the age of 16, making her the youngest player in the table tennis competition. Even though she had to exit early on, this experience paved the way for her future Olympic appearances in 2016 and 2020.
FAQ's On Lily Zhang’s Medals
A. No, Lily Zhang is an American table tennis player born in Redwood City, California, born to Chinese parents.
A. Lily Zhang has been ranked as high as #2 in the Cadet (U-15) world ranking and #5 in the Junior (U-18) world ranking.
A. Lily Zhang's highest Olympic finish is 9th place in the Women's Team event at the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics.
A. Yes, Lily Zhang won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event at the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships.
A. Lily Zhang grew up in Palo Alto, California, where her family lived on the Stanford University campus.
