Yan Yifei, an undergraduate from Xuzhou City, Jiangsu province, is a class of 2028 student intended major in data science. He also served as the captain of Varsity Table Tennis team.
“In courage I begin, in resolve I endure.”
Yan Yifei, class of 2028, captain of the Varsity Table Tennis Team
Q: When did you start playing table tennis?
I started playing at four years old. My parents wanted me to get a lot of exercise because I was very weak. My father considered three options: basketball, table tennis, and football. My mother decided I should play table tennis because it was the least dangerous.
Yifei’s National First-Class Athlete Certificate
Q: When did you start playing competitively?
When I was six years old I started competing. My first coach said I was talented, so I started going to play in competitions. By the time I was eight years old, I was at the top of my league in Xuzhou. From there, I went to Wuxi to find more competition when I was nine. Then I started the Xiangyang Cup.
The Xiangyang was a national competition held in my hometown of Xuzhou, Jiangsu. At first, it seemed easy to me, but my opponents became more competitive towards the end. Because the competition was in my hometown, my family came to root for me. While I became more confident, my opponents lost confidence, and I won the bronze medal 3-1.
In junior high, I also played table tennis. There I won the National First-Class Athlete Certificate by winning in provincial games. However, when I went to high school the competition became more difficult. Spending more time training to keep up with the sport meant I would not have time to study. I had to choose between my studies and my sport and it became apparent that I should focus on my studies. From then on, I focused on schoolwork and cut back to only 2 to 3 hours per week of table tennis.
Yifei was training during his childhood.
Q: Why did you come to DKU?
One of my friends in high school went to a Sino-Foreign University and told me there was a university called DKU. I knew about Duke’s table tennis and basketball, so I knew that DKU’s athletic atmosphere would be more compatible for me. When I went to campus day, I visited the sports center. I knew immediately that table tennis here would be more suitable for me.
I was also interested in the intersection of global health data science and table tennis at DKU because here we have technology and studies to examine how athletes may get injured, how they can prevent injuries, and which treatment is best for them. That’s why I planned to attend this school.
The coach was instructing Yifei.
Q: What does your relationship look like with your teammates?
In high school, I received some advice, but my coach didn’t listen to my perspective. Instead, she insisted on what she believed I needed to do without considering my thoughts. At DKU, the varsity coach is a friend to me. She makes suggestions and always listens to my ideas to give more personalized advice.
At DKU, my teammates are also great. After varsity training or the competition, we always get meals together and give suggestions which is a great atmosphere to be in.
Q: What do you do outside of table tennis and school?
I love watching football. I like Manchester United and the premier leagues. My friends and I gather together to watch the games. And I like playing badminton. On Saturday afternoons, in the badminton clubs, I improve my skills under the guidance of my team, and play for fun with my friends.
Yifei was playing in the game.
Q: What have you learned throughout your table tennis career?
Confidence is key. Without confidence, you won’t win. With enough confidence, you will reveal your hidden and unhidden skills and play better than you thought you could.
Ready to Take on Your Own Challenge?
