In the pulsating arena of Helsingborg, two young table tennis talents wrote their names into the sport’s history books. Annett Kaufmann of Germany and Huang Youzheng of China delivered performances at the ITTF World Youth Championships Finals that not only crowned them as champions but secured their tickets to the ITTF World Cup Macao 2025.

Kaufmann’s journey to table tennis excellence is rooted in a family of athletes. With a ski racer mother and an ice hockey player father, sports was in her DNA. Her table tennis path took an unconventional turn when coaches encouraged her to train as a left-handed player – a decision that would prove transformative.

Her progression through junior ranks was meteoric. At 14, she won the European ranking list in her age group, and by 15, she became the youngest-ever U21 European champion. She continued collecting continental junior titles across U15, U19, and U21 categories, establishing herself as a rising star.

Her Olympic journey was defined by unexpected opportunity. Selected initially as a reserve player, Kaufmann was ready to step in if needed. The team’s circumstances dramatically changed when Han Ying withdrew before the Olympics due to an Achilles tendon injury, and Nina Mittelham was forced to exit during the tournament with a back injury.

Suddenly, Kaufmann was the number one player bearing the primary responsibility for Germany’s medal hopes. She rose to the challenge with extraordinary composure. In a remarkable performance, she defeated top-ten ranked Miwa Harimoto in straight games during the semi-final match against Japan, showcasing her exceptional skill and mental strength. Although Germany ultimately lost to Japan and missed out on a medal, Kaufmann’s breakthrough performances captured the attention of the table tennis world. Ranked 100th globally, she defeated significantly higher-ranked players, including Lily Zhang, Rachel Sung, Manika Batra, and Sreeja Akula, proving she was a rising talent to be reckoned with.

Her ITTF U19 Women’s Singles World Championships victory in Helsingborg was the culmination of this rising trajectory. Facing China’s Zong Geman in a dramatic final, Kaufmann became the first non-Asian champion in the category, securing Germany’s first-ever gold in Girls’ Singles. Her 4-2 victory (11-4, 1-11, 11-6, 11-6, 1-11, 12-10) was a testament to her mental strength and technical brilliance.

Huang Youzheng’s path to table tennis excellence began as a health intervention. Born in Ningbo to parents concerned about his fragile health, he was encouraged to join his school’s table tennis club. What started as a way to build strength quickly became a passionate pursuit.

In 2015, he joined the Bayi table tennis team and began training under Olympic champion Wang Hao. His early competitive career was marked by consistent success, winning titles at junior championships and representing China in international competitions.

The 2023 Asian Junior Championships showcased Huang’s emerging talent. He helped China sweep South Korea, triumphing in team and individual events. At the East Asian Youth Games, he won men’s singles and mixed doubles titles, demonstrating his growing prowess across different formats.

His breakthrough continued into 2024. The WTT Youth Star Contender in Singapore saw him clinch gold in U19 singles, while he secured mixed doubles titles in various tournaments. His victory at the 2024 Chinese National Table Tennis Championships, where he defeated Ao Hualei 4-0 in the men’s singles final, further established his reputation. The U19 World Championship was the culmination of his journey.

In the Boys’ Singles final, Huang delivered a performance that was both technically brilliant and psychologically dominant. His 4-0 victory (11-8, 11-2, 11-0, 11-4) over teammate Wen Ruibo was more than just a win, it was a statement of absolute control. Additionally, he also secured gold in mixed doubles with Zong Geman and claimed victory in all his events, becoming one of the tournament’s standout performer.

The ITTF World Cup Macao 2025 promises to be a coming-of-age moment for these young champions, showcasing the future of table tennis through their extraordinary talent and determination.