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UCLA Club Sports

Bruin Spotlight: Isabel Chu

Bruin Spotlight: Isabel Chu

BY AMAHD BEY
UCLA Comp Sports Beat Writer

Table tennis to Isabel Chu has a deeper meaning. She takes table tennis seriously and it has taken her all over the world.
 
Chu is a fourth-year physical sciences major and current captain of the table tennis co-ed team.
 
Chu began playing at home while watching her parents and cousins play, and then soon enough, her brothers and herself picked up the paddles and developed a love and competition for the sport.
 
"I grew up in a family that loved playing table tennis," Chu said. "But I got really competitive around middle school and high school."
 
Her passion for the sport caused her to join clubs in high school where she regularly played and competed. She was different than other table tennis competitors in and outside of her region.
 
"I'm very good at rallying and speed," Chu said. "Others like to back away and take their time and add power and spin, I like to pressure my opponents."
 
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Isabel Chu Rallying During a Table Tennis Match.

 
Chu's style of play allowed her to make the U.S. cadet team which is composed of the top four girls in the country. They competed around the world in events like the World Junior Championships held in India. Chu also went to Taiwan for University Olympics in 2017.
  
Table tennis President Haolin Fang said Chu sparks the team's energy.
 
"Given her professional experience, it helps guide the more amateur players on the team, so during tournament she's able to help answer questions," Fang said. "Sometimes we don't really take the sport serious, like during off season training, but she is able to snap us back and keep us motivated."
 
Chu understands that not all people take table tennis as serious, however she loves the game and wants to see people have fun.
 
"The cool thing about ping pong is that anyone can play it, and I'm sure there's many people who enjoy playing it but don't see it as a sport," Chu said.
 
No matter your level of experience, the love for table tennis is what brings this community together. Come be a part of this community by picking up a paddle and playing.
 
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