Fox Friday: Sophomore Amoolya Menon Is an Internationally Ranked Table Tennis Player with Eyes Set on the Olympics

Fox Friday is a series that highlights the accomplishments of students districtwide. We regularly feature the incredible things our students are up to — whether they are excelling academically, athletically or are quietly impressive.

Today’s Fox Friday focuses on Fox Lane sophomore Amoolya Menon. Amoolya is an internationally ranked table tennis player and won the New York State Women’s Championship at age 14, becoming the third teenage female player in the country to win a state title.

How did you get into table tennis? And how did you transition from playing to competing?

Through a family friend, I discovered the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, NY. I started playing for fun at age eight and within a year I started getting formal coaching and began competing locally. My first national level tournament was the U.S. Open at Orlando, FL where I won a Silver medal in Girls U10 doubles and a Bronze medal in Girls U10 singles.

What does training look like?

I train every day, and it involves stretches and strength training as well as more technical training where I focus on fine tuning my strengths, working on agility, reflexes and tactics. Training also involves improving the mental aspects of competition and includes daily meditation.

What are some of your proudest accomplishments?

In June 2024, I won the World Table Tennis Youth Contender in the Girls U17 which took place at the Westchester Table Tennis Center. Because of this tournament, I was ranked in the top 50 in the world in Girls U15. Earlier this year, I reached my highest ranking of number 1 in Girls U15 and 13th in the country for Women. I also had the privilege of playing in the 2024 Olympic Trials, where I eventually placed ninth and was a member of the U13 U.S. National Team. I was the 2023 New York State women’s champion at age 14.

Has table tennis taught you any skills that make you a better student?

Through my experiences, I have gained the skill to balance both my athletic and academic lives. Table tennis has helped me stay in the present and focus on the task at hand. I have also become better socially, as playing a sport such as table tennis at a high level involves putting yourself in situations that are far out of your comfort zone.

How has the experience changed you as a person?

I am definitely more motivated and more focused in my personal life. As this is not an easy sport, I have learned how to work for what I want and that I am capable of achieving my goals when I put my mind to it.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

My ultimate goal for table tennis is to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. It would be a dream come true to compete in the Olympic games at home.

Is there anything else you think people should know?

Table tennis is a misunderstood sport, especially in North America, where most people know it as a recreational pastime often referred to as ping pong. There is, in fact, a difference between the two, as ping pong is the recreational version of table tennis, which has been an Olympic sport since 1988. It is much harder than people think, and I would also like people who play ping pong to watch a professional game of table tennis before jumping to the conclusion that they too are good at table tennis.

The sport is getting popular in the U.S. with the advent of Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) in 2023. From December 13-15, MLTT was played at Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, NY where professional players from all over the world competed.