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Countdown to Beijing '08 - Table Tennis
// USOC Media Services // September 27, 2006
Storylines
Jun Gao
After winning a silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games for her native country China, Gao has since become a U.S. citizen. She was the first American to advance beyond the first round in table tennis in the 2000 Sydney Games.
Key Athlete Bios
JASNA REED
Born in Foca (Bosnia-part of former Yugoslavia). Sister Amela, parents and uncle encouraged her to play table tennis when she was eight. Moved with family to Zagreb, Croatia 11 years before war broke out, a time in history when Yugoslavia was still one large united country. She lived in small city in Bosnia and moved because her sister was good at table tennis and the best academically in the school. Reed’s mother was a teacher, and she wanted the very best education for Amela and Jasna. Her parents thought that if the family lived in Zagreb they would have more opportunities; neither of them dreamt that they might win national titles. Jasna joined Mladost, a club with range of sports, and at age of 15 became Yugoslavian national champion. The dissolution of Yugoslavia changed her life. In 1994, Reed received a Green Card, but was still living in Europe. In 1996, she decided to move to the United States, and then she graduated in politics at the Oakland University (Rochester, Mich.). In December 1999, she became a U.S. citizen. Citizenship meant that she was eligible to represent United States in the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000. With Olympics in sight, a training schedule was organized to give Reed the best chance of making Sydney. She was successful in the U.S. Trials and then in North American Trials, so she made the team. After the Olympics, Reed worked in U.S. as a Computer Consultant (Chicago). In 2001, she moved to Texas and started work on a Masters Degree. At the same time, Reed was teaching world geography in high school. Soon, she realized that she could still play table tennis at a high level, and felt that she could always pursue academic excellence at later date. In 2003, she signed a contract in Germany and played for the same team until January 2006. Right now, Reed is back in Texas, at Texas Wesleyan University, finishing a Masters Degree, representing the school as an athlete and coaching the TWU team. In December 2005, Jasna Reed became for second time U.S. national champion in Singles.
Personal
Citizen of the United States and Croatia. Earned Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Currently pursuing Master’s degree in Education.
ILIJA LUPULESKU
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175
Born: Yugoslavia
Residence: Chicago, Ill.
Handedness: Left
Grip: Shakehand
Style of Play: two-winged shakehand
Personal profile:
Lupulesku was born in Serbia-Montenegro, which is now Yugoslavia, and is making the jump to join the U.S. Association. A member of the 2003 U.S. Pan Am Team, Lupulesku could not make the trip to Santo Domingo due to injury. As the No. 1 eligible male table tennis athlete in the U.S., Lupulesku has his sights on making his first U.S. Olympic Team. He is a silver medalist in the 1988 Olympics with Yugoslavia.
JUN GAO
Height: 5' 5
Born: 1/25/1969
Hometown: Boading, China
Resides: Gaithersburg, Md.
Personal Profile: A member of the U.S. National Team since 1997, Jun Gao is currently ranked 18th in the world and is the top female in the U.S. Gao began playing table tennis at age five upon encouragement from her father. Gao is currently studying economic trade at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai, China while she trains. She likes love songs, 007 and Batman movies and to reminisce about her father taking her to table tennis school as a child in China.
The Short List
• 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Member (Doubles and Singles)
• 1996-2001 U.S. Women's Singles Champion
• 1996-2001 U.S. Women's Doubles Champion
• 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist - Women's Doubles
Did You Know?
• Former Member of the Chinese National Team
• Was formerly ranked No. 3 in the World, currently 35
• Favorite Cereal: Frosted Wheat
• Family life: Married, no children
• Education: Currently studying at the University of Shanghai
• Motto: Enjoy your life!
• Favorite Place to vacation: My parents home
• Favorite Movie: James Bond 007
• Started playing table tennis at age six.
• Favorite table tennis memory: 1999 Pan Am Games and 2000 Olympic Games
• Favorite place to play table tennis: Las Vegas, Nev.
It's Every Day
Gao was introduced to table tennis by her father at the age of six and has been playing for over 29 years. Formerly a member of the Chinese National Team, she has been a member of the U.S. National team since 1996. Her greatest accomplishment was awarded to her in 1992 with an Olympic silver medal in Barcelona as a member of the Chinese National Team.
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