East Auckland is home to a sporting “prodigy” who’s just taken out a major national award.

Young table tennis star Josephine Chong, who attends Macleans College, is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with as she racks up accolades and turns heads with her dynamic paddle skills.

The Auckland Table Tennis Association (ATTA) player enjoyed a breakout year in 2024, capped by stellar performances.

Her journey in the sport has been fuelled by passion and precision with her biggest triumph coming at the 2024 ITTF-Oceania Senior and Youth Championships.

Representing Table Tennis NZ, Josephine helped the New Zealand under-15 girls’ team secure first place in the team competition.

That victory punched their ticket to the 2024 ITTF World Youth Championships, held in Helsingborg, Sweden.

“Winning as a team was unreal,” Josephine says. “We pushed each other every step.”

In addition to that success, she also secured a silver medal in the under-15 girls’ singles competition, losing only to fellow New Zealand team member Ayumi Moriyama-Picard in the final.

Table Tennis NZ named Josephine its ‘Most Improved Girl 2024’, a testament to her rapid growth and relentless drive.

Her coaches at ATTA, such as east Auckland stalwart Dinyar Irani, say they aren’t surprised by her success.

“Josephine is a talented player and has a great attitude to go with it,” Irani says.

“She trains with the right mindset, always looking to improve, no matter who she’s playing against.

“Her hard work is paying off, and it shows in her results.”

Balancing her schooling with a packed table tennis training schedule, Josephine remains a well-balanced east Auckland teenager.

She credits her family, friends and the table tennis community for helping her stay grounded.

“I couldn’t do it without their support,” she says.

Her roots run deep in the local community, where she learned the ropes at the Pakuranga Table Tennis Club and Tune Table Tennis Club, which laid the building blocks for her success on the international stage.

Her achievements in 2024 signal she has a bright future in the sport and with her recent experience at the World Youth Championships, she’s set her eyes overseas.

“I want to test myself against the best and make east Auckland proud,” Josephine says.

Her success could spark a table tennis boom in the area, and she’s all in for it.

“I’d love more kids here to try table tennis. It’s fast, fun, and takes you places – look where it’s taken me!”

Josephine is now preparing for the 2025 ITTF-Oceania Youth Championships to be held in Christchurch in June.