Dream to Compete in 2020 Olympics

My name is Kai Zhang, a professional table tennis player originally from Beijing, China. I came to the U.S. when I was 15 and fell in love with this country and the people around me. They taught me how to enjoy the things I do daily and the importance of education. Now I'm a U.S. citizen and want to pursue my childhood dream to compete in the upcoming 2020 Olympics representing the U.S. This dream makes me to decide taking a gap year from Binghamton University starting Spring 2019 in order to train and compete. I'm dedicated and will do whatever it takes to accomplish this dream. The result is not everything for me, I would like to gain more experience in my career. I believe in life: The most important thing is not the end result, it is the process and the happiness you gained from the journey. Life is short and I do not want to feel regret in the future for not trying for my career dream. 

Here are some of my career accomplishments: 
2018 iSET National Collegiate Table Tennis Championship Singles Champion
2018 U.S. Open U21 Bronze Medal winner (5 Star Tournament)
2017 U.S. Open Adults Team Champion (5 Star Tournament)
2016 - Champion - New York State Championship Men’s Single and Under 18
2016 JOOLA International Team Tournament Open Finalist ( 5 Star Tournament)
2016 - Champion - New Jersey Chinese Festival Olympic Cup Open Singles
10/15 - 12/15 Ranked #1 Table Tennis Player in the USA of all ages
2015 - Represented U.S. in World Junior Circuit Final - Bronze Medal winner
2015 - Represented the U.S. winning the Canadian Junior Open Single Champion - World Event
2015 - Represented the U.S. winning the Portugal Junior open Single Champion – World Event
2015 Cary Cup Single Finalist (4 Star Tournament)
2015 Triangle July Two-Person Team Open Champion (4 Star Tournament)
2015 Butterfly Team runner-up (4 Star Tournament)
2015 U.S. Open U18 Bronze Medal winner (5 Star Tournament)
2014 U.S. Open U21 Bronze Medal winner (5 Star Tournament)
2014 Eastern Open Single Champion (4 Star Tournament)
2013 JOOLA International Team Tournament Open Third Place and U18 Champion
2008-2012 - Beijing Provincial Team Member
Westchester open single champion 20 Times (4 Star Tournament)
ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Accredited Level One Coach

The funds provide to me will be used for my training, competition traveling, and equipment expenses. I think the majority portion of the funds is going to be used for international competition and traveling expenses because table tennis in the U.S. is mostly self-funded. Please support me and my effort to reach my ultimate goal of competing in the 2020 Olympics. Every cent will help me tremendously through my tough training and competitions during my gap year before the Olympics between Spring 2019 to Fall 2020. 

Thank you so much for all of you who support me both mentally and financially, and also those of you who take your time to read about my story!

Here are some links about my story when I was interviewed and some videos of me playing high level matches:

The New Yorker:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/sports/sporting-scene/will-shortz-and-the-ping-pong-prodigy/amp

USA Today:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/23012949

The most recent match with world ranking 47 player Robert Gardos:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p3XeoiejzZY


Sincerely,
Kai Zhang