BUSAN, South Korea — A 15-year-old from Metro Atlanta turned heads Tuesday at the World Table Tennis Championships in South Korea, winning the singles match and helping Team USA record the tournament's only team win.
Amber Liu, a sophomore at Johns Creek High School, traveled to Busan with her team for the world championships.
Related: Fulton County teen competes in World Table Tennis Championships in South Korea
She defeated 19-year-old Amina Kesasi 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-4), and Team USA defeated the Algerian 3-0 to take fourth place in its group. They had previously lost to Chile, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
Liu was the youngest member of the US team in Korea. She did not appear in the first three games as the senior members of her team were at the helm, but Liu played her part against Algeria as the United States lost the first three games of the group stage and were eliminated. I was able to show off my skills.
Team table tennis competitions are decided using a best-of-five singles match format. In the match against Algeria, Jessica Reyes Lai and Kayla Goodwin also recorded wins, leading to a 3-0 victory over the United States.
Liu has been playing table tennis since she was just 7 years old, and now, in between training, piano lessons, and schoolwork, she travels the world to compete in elite competitions.
Most recently, Liu competed in the U.S. Trials for the World Table Tennis Championships in Texas. There, she finished in the top four of her age group and qualified to compete in South Korea.
News happens quickly. Stream faster with the redesigned 11Alive+ app.
Watch newscasts, breaking news streams, and get the latest sports, weather, and VERIFY content 24/7.Available upon Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV. To download and stream 11Alive+ now, text “plus” to 404-885-7600.
