Kathleen Cai has had a pretty busy life for a 12-year-old. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 a student and sheSA国际影视传媒檚 also made two trips to the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) for table tennis.

Late last month, she was featured in Table Tennis CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 Women in Table Tennis campaign, one of the youngest athletes to take part.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat was really cool,SA国际影视传媒� Cai said. SA国际影视传媒淚 was really happy and proud to be featured in that.SA国际影视传媒�

That feature included a Q-and-A for Table Tennis CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 YouTube channel. Cai said her dad was there for that moment.

SA国际影视传媒淗e was really happy, too, and you could tell that he was proud of me,SA国际影视传媒� said Cai.

The interview she had included her efforts to try and introduce her friends to the sport and why she loves playing table tennis. She also spoke about the challenges she faces as a young athlete and gave some advice to those coming up in the sport.

At the 2024 AWG in Alaska last month, Cai won herself three ulus, which included a gold in juvenile girls doubles.

There was one specific win for Cai that ended up being a huge milestone for her in Alaska.

SA国际影视传媒淚 had one of those moments (where) there was this girl from Alaska and I beat her. I felt really proud. I was like SA国际影视传媒榦h, ISA国际影视传媒檓 pretty good I guess,SA国际影视传媒� she laughed.

Thorsten Gohl is executive director of Table Tennis North and has also been coaching Cai for the past two years or so.

In terms of CaiSA国际影视传媒檚 potential as an athlete, Gohl said he sees a lot of it.

SA国际影视传媒淪he is eager and has good family support,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淔or me personally, itSA国际影视传媒檚 not always about the potential in high performance, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 about becoming the best version of themselves.SA国际影视传媒�

CaiSA国际影视传媒檚 next big table tennis tournament would likely be the Canadian Junior Championship in Quebec, which isnSA国际影视传媒檛 until July; Cai said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 never been that far away from home before.

Though Gohl thinks itSA国际影视传媒檒l be a great time for Cai, he said there are still some hurdles in the way.

SA国际影视传媒淭he biggest one is always funding, so we need to figure out how we do that,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have $20,000 in yearly funding that we need to do everything within it. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 not always easy.SA国际影视传媒�

Gohl added there is some additional funding for high performance athletes they can apply to through, whther it be via the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) or the GNWT. Otherwise, fundraising is always an option.

For her future, Cai said she might want to play for Team Canada. Until then, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 got homework to focus on.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur school ends at 3:20 p.m.SA国际影视传媒� Cai explained. SA国际影视传媒淎fter that, I spend maybe an hour doing homework and if I have time ISA国际影视传媒檒l go to the Yellowknife club or practice at home.SA国际影视传媒�