‘You have to have that fighting spirit’

St. Vital

Fort Garry

Alexus Lee knows a thing or two about winning medals.

The 14-year-old table tennis sensation has brought home a collection of medals this year competing for Team Manitoba, and she wasn’t the only player from the province to bring home the bling and make Manitoba proud. Alexus’ 16-year-old sister, Victoria, has also been among the medallists.

Space might preclude a full list of the results throughout the season, but according to Carlos Cuadra, the executive director of the Manitoba Table Tennis Association, Manitoba collected four bronze medals and one silver medal in the following categories at the 2025 Canadian Championships, which were held at the Richmond Olympic Oval in B.C. this summer.

These include bronze in the senior women’s doubles — Alexus Lee and Victoria Lee; bronze in the girls’ singles U-15 — Alexus Lee; bronze in the girls’ singles U-19 – Alexus Lee; bronze in girls’ singles U-17 — Victoria Lee; and silver in the girls’ team U-15 — Alexus Lee and Rhea Liu.

“This has been the result of a lot of hard work, many training sessions, and a passion for the sport,” Cuadra said recently, noting Lee has become a table tennis ambassador for Manitoba and Canada.

“There’s been a development in her competitive spirit, and her ability to perform. You have to have that fighting spirit.”

Lee also performed well at the WTT Youth Contender Mississauga 2025 event in Ontario in August, and the ITTF Pan Am Youth Championships, which was held in Argentina a few days later, ranking in the top three in different events on both occasions.

“Hopefully people will see that table tennis can be a great way to stay active, be competitive and have fun,” Cuadra said.

Lee, who attends Vincent Massey Collegiate, is thrilled about her achievements this season and her continued progress.

“Overall, I’m very excited, and I’ve had lots of opportunities to play in different tournaments. It’s been a jam-packed summer,” Lee said.

Noting representing Team Canada has been a great experience, the teen said she wants to keep working hard and moving up the table tennis ranks.

“It’s been a good goal pushing towards the highest level of table tennis — it’s been lots of hard work, setting higher goals, and dreaming big. I want to look back and savour the opportunity. I’m really grateful to represent Manitoba as a team,” Lee said.

Lee’s father, Danny, said he’s proud of the achievements of his table tennis-playing daughters.

“I’m very proud of them, No matter how far they go, I’m proud of them,” he said.

“As long as they keep enjoying it, it’s good.”