Fueling Dreams: Anav Gupta’s Mission to Support USATT Para Athletes

A Life in Table Tennis

For Anav, table tennis has been more than just a sport — it has been a way of life. He first discovered the game at the age of seven, after following his father to the local club in Cary, NC – a suburb of Raleigh. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep passion.

He started his training at Triangle Table Tennis before joining NC International Table Tennis.  He trains under the guidance of coach Jishan Liang, and in the past, he has been guided by Coach Di Yu and Ojo Onaolapo.

Today, Anav trains several hours a day, balancing on-table practice with strength and conditioning in the gym. His ultimate goal is to become one of the top players in the world.

Giving Back Through Special Olympics

After a meeting with a para-athlete, which had a profound impact on his life, he was inspired to learn more and soon connected with Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC), whose headquarters happened to be only a few miles from his home in Cary.

Since then, Anav has dedicated his time to volunteering at SONC— from helping in the office with event prep to supporting galas and community events. Notably, he even organized the first-ever table tennis event for Special Olympics athletes, partnering with players at Triangle Table Tennis to bring it to life.

“Just the joy and happiness these kids feel when you interact with them makes me want to do more for them,” Anav shared.

Supporting the USATT Para Program

USA Table Tennis (USATT) has established the United States Performance Center (USPC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, located on the campus of the University of North Carolina–Charlotte. As part of this initiative, the USATT Para Residency Training Program provides a full-time training environment specifically designed for individuals with physical disabilities. Led by the U.S. Para National Team Coaching Staff, the program helps prepare athletes to represent the United States at the highest level of international competition.

Currently, five athletes live and train full-time in Charlotte as part of the program. Supporting this effort has become a passion for Anav Gupta, a member of the USATT Junior National Team, who has launched a scholarship initiative to fund training opportunities for para-athletes preparing for the 2028 Paralympic Games.

So far, Anav has raised $9,000 with the support of family, friends, and his own college savings. These funds will cover three years of training expenses for selected athletes. His goal is to sustain the initiative for five years, with funding already secured through the first three.

“USATT is doing a great job by providing an opportunity to these amazing athletes to grow as sportspersons and as human beings, and to be able to compete at the highest international level,” Anav said. “They can bring honors to the country and USATT and be proud of themselves. I just love to see a smile on their face.”

Investing in the Future of Para Table Tennis

Anav’s commitment to supporting USATT para-athletes grew out of his volunteer work with the Special Olympics of NC (SONC).

Through his scholarship initiative, Anav hopes to not only make training more accessible for para-athletes but also to send a message of encouragement.

He explained, “I want this scholarship to show them that their hard work, discipline, and desire are being recognized. I also hope it helps USATT expand the program and continue to provide world-class amenities to these athletes.”

Innovating for USATT Para-Athlete Development

Beyond fundraising and volunteering, Anav is also contributing through technology. He is currently developing a software platform to help manage the training, exercise, and recovery schedules of para-athletes in the residency program. This tool is designed to make day-to-day program management more efficient and to support athletes in optimizing their performance and recovery.

A Role Model for the Next Generation

USATT is proud to recognize Anav Gupta’s Scholarship Initiative for the Para Residency Training Program. His generosity and dedication embody the values of sportsmanship, service, and leadership that define the table tennis community. By investing in others while pursuing his own goals, Anav is fueling dreams—not only his own, but those of the para-athletes who inspire him.