Annett Kaufmann Shines at Paris Olympics

In the bustling atmosphere of the Paris Olympics, 18-year-old Annett Kaufmann is stealing the show for the German women’s table tennis team. Initially just a reserve player, she’s now shining brightly after stepping into a key role and helping her team reach the semifinals.

Annett’s athleticskill runs in the family. With her father Andrej being a champion ice hockey player and her mother Anna Korsunova having competed in downhill skiing for Kazakhstan, it seems talent is in her blood. Even her older sister Alexandra started playing table tennis early, setting an example for Annett, who began the sport at just four years old.

Just a few months back, Kaufmann was juggling her high school exams along with preparing for the Olympics. She admitted that despite not participating in many competitions recently, her hard work and dedication paid off when it truly mattered. ‘I had my exams in April and May, so I didn’t get much time for tournaments,’ she explained.

The journey for Germany’s table tennis team hasn’t been easy in Paris, especially with injuries affecting some of their top players. However, Kaufmann, who is part of the ITTF Development’s scholarship program, was called up as a reserve and quickly proved her worth, delivering impressive performances throughout the tournament.

Kaufmann’s standout moment came when she faced off against the USA, where national coach Tamara Boros placed her in a leading position. In her Olympic debut, she managed to win both of her matches, including a decisive victory over US top player Lily Zhang. Her nerves of steel were evident as she kept her focus during a nail-biting match against Rachel Sung.

She didn’t stop there—Kaufmann continued her winning streak in the quarterfinals against India, securing crucial points that brought her team closer to a medal. Reflecting on the immense pressure and injuries her team faced, she expressed pride in their ability to push through the challenges. ‘If someone told me before the games, ‘You will be in the semifinal,’ I would have signed up immediately,’ she shared.

Kaufmann’s journey in table tennis began at an early age, leading her to win her first international medal at just 10 years old. With a mix of domestic and international successes, she has made a name for herself in the sport, including winning a national championship just months before heading to Paris.

Off the table, Kaufmann has a fun twist—she’s a big fan of pop star Taylor Swift! She turns to Swift’s song ‘Shake it Off’ for inspiration when the pressure mounts, a strategy that has worked well for her in the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.

Another interesting aspect of Kaufmann’s life is her passion for criminology. She enjoys true-crime documentaries and books, and she’s considering pursuing a career in that field someday. But for now, the Olympic stage is her focus.

Despite the serious atmosphere of competition, Kaufmann finds joy in the little things, like exploring the Olympic Village with her friend Hana Goda and mingling with athletes from diverse sports. While she hasn’t managed to snag a selfie with her favorite stars like Alcaraz and Nadal yet, she’s simply thrilled to be part of such an incredible event.

Kaufmann credits her friends and family as her biggest supporters, always cheering her on, whether they’re at work or trying to catch glimpses of her matches whenever they can.