Anna Hursey, at just 18 years old, is set to add another remarkable achievement to her name when she makes her Olympic debut in Paris on Saturday. This milestone marks her as the first Welsh athlete to compete in table tennis at the Olympics, but for Hursey, making history is nothing new; she is already a veteran of two Commonwealth Games.
Hursey first made headlines as Wales’ youngest senior international athlete at the age of 10 and later served as a climate change advisor to American President Joe Biden at 14. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I’ve got used to having people watch me and being in the spotlight because I’ve had that for a long time now.” Hursey, alongside Liam Pitchford – a four-time Olympian – will represent Britain in table tennis in Paris.
“The longer you compete at a young age, the more natural it feels. I began when I was really young and managed to become one of the best under-12s in the world,” Hursey explained. “I carried on through cadet and junior levels and now into the seniors. That experience – as well as going to two Commonwealth Games – has really helped me, and I feel more excited about Paris than nervous.”
Born in Carmarthen to a Chinese mother and an English father, Hursey grew up in Swansea and later Cardiff. She spent three years in China, honing her skills in Tianjin, where her rigorous schedule involved remote online schooling and 40 hours a week of intensive training sessions. This discipline and routine proved invaluable for her development.
Hursey was part of the Wales squad for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia at the age of 11. By 15, she had won a bronze medal in the women’s doubles at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, alongside Charlotte Carey.
This year, Hursey aims to add to the notable achievements of young sporting stars. Already in 2024, 16-year-old Luke Littler became a darts world championship runner-up, and Spain’s winger Lamine Yamal won the European Championship before turning 17. Additionally, rising 800 metres track star Phoebe Gill secured her Olympic spot by winning at the British Championships at 17.
“I watched a bit of the football and saw the young players for Spain and the impact they made. I think it’s exciting for a sport when you see young people succeeding,” Hursey noted. “It can inspire other young people who are watching. That’s what I want to do in table tennis – get young people wanting to play the game and enjoy it like I do. It’s a great sport.”
Having broken into the world’s top 100 for the first time this year, Hursey faces a challenging opening draw in the women’s singles. She will compete against Indian number one Manika Batra, who is 28th in the world. Nonetheless, Hursey is confident, having beaten several higher-ranked players at a qualification event in Sarajevo in May.
“I feel like I am playing quite well at the moment,” Hursey said. “I have improved a lot in the past two years, both physically and emotionally. I took a lot of confidence from the results I had at the qualification tournament, and I can’t wait to get to Paris.”
