In the heart of the Paris Olympics, a name has emerged as a beacon of hope for the German womens table tennis team: 18-year-old Annett Kaufmann. Originally a reserve player, Kaufmann has stepped into the spotlight, showcasing exceptional talent and composure that have propelled her team to the semifinals. 

Kaufmanns athletic prowess comes as no surprise. Her father, Andrej, was a champion ice hockey player, and her mother, Anna Korsunova, competed in downhill skiing for Kazakhstan. Even her elder sister, Alexandra, took up table tennis at a young age. Annett followed suit, starting the sport at just four years old and quickly showing exceptional promise. 

Just months ago, Kaufmann was focused on a hurdle like every 18-year-old, her high school exams. Despite limited recent competition due to her studies, Kaufmanns dedication and natural talent have proven to be a winning formula. My last tournament was the World Championships in Busan and then in mid-June, I had the German national senior championships, but otherwise I had no tournaments at all. I had my exams in April and May, then I had a little break for preparation before the German national championships. The next week after, from Monday until Friday, I had all my oral exams. 

Germanys table tennis team initially faced immense challenges at Paris due to injuries. A beneficiary of the ITTF Developments With Future in Mind scholarship program, her selection as a reserve player for the German team was a recognition of her potential, but few could have predicted the impact she would have on the tournament.

Kaufmanns breakthrough moment in Paris came during the match against the USA. National coach Tamara Boros placed her in the top position, and Kaufmann delivered an impressive Olympic debut with two victories. In her first singles match, she swept US top player Lily Zhang, securing Germanys 2-0 lead. Later, she kept her nerves in the decisive fifth game against Rachel Sung, winning in four games after losing the first one. Her stellar performance continued in the crucial quarterfinal tie against India, where she secured two valuable points that propelled Germany into the semifinals. 

Before we came here, our No.1 was injured so, of course, we were already a little bit down. Then, when we came here, our No.2 also got injured, so it wasnt really easy for us to be mentally good again, and to fight even though we dont have the two best players on our team. But that makes me even more proud of us that we could manage to win. I think if someone told me before these games, You will be in the semifinal, I would have signed up directly (immediately). 

Kaufmanns rise in the sport began early. At the age of 10, she won her first international medal, a silver at the Euro Mini Champs U-11 in 2016. Domestic success followed in 2018. Her top-level achievements include a team bronze medal at the World Team Table Tennis Championships 2022 in Chengdu and a gold medal with her teammates at the European Table Tennis Championships in 2021 and 2023, before being crowned the German singles national champion in June 2024. 

Beyond the court, Kaufmann is quite the fan of the pop star, Taylor Swift. When faced with pressure, she finds inspiration in Swifts song Shake it Off, reminding herself to stay focused and composed. This mental strength has been evident in her recent victories. 

The first-time Olympian also has another intriguing interest Criminology. Fascinated by true-crime documentaries and books, Kaufmann considers pursuing a career in this field.  

Despite the Olympic stage, Kaufmann finds joy in the simple things. Exploring the Olympic Village with her friend Hana Goda and interacting with athletes from other sports has been a highlight of her Parisian experience. Though she hasnt yet scored a celebrity selfie (Alcaraz and Nadal remain elusive targets!), Kaufmann is simply thrilled to be surrounded by such talent. 

I love spending time with my friends, they are really supportive. They, together with my family are the most important people to me. They watch every single game, and even though they may be at work or busy, they always try to catch my matches sneakily. 

As she continues to make her mark in the Paris Olympics, Annett Kaufmanns journey will undoubtedly inspire many young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and perseverance.