Guyana’s table tennis standout Chelsea Edghill is hoping to open her season on a high note as she braces for tough competition in the ninth edition of the ITTF Pan American Cup in San Francisco, California.
The tournament, which runs from Tuesday to Sunday, serves as both a prestigious continental showdown and a crucial qualifier for the ITTF World Cup in China later this year.
Edghill will go head-to-head with some of the region’s finest at the 888 Table Tennis Center in Burlingame, as the event brings together the top 32 players in the Americas, including Olympians like Leonardo Iizuka, Marcelo Aguirre, Zhen Zhiying, and defending champions Edward Ly and Bruna Takahashi, who enter the competition on Friday, February 21.
Edghill will be joined by compatriot Shemar Britton, who, along with Jamaicans Jayden Ebanks, Azizi Johnson, Rohan Lewis, Emani McPherson, Odingo Mitchell, Mark Phillips, and Kane Watson, are among the top male competitors at the tournament.
For Edghill, this tournament represents more than just her season opener—it’s an opportunity to set the tone for the year ahead.
“Yes, this is my first tournament for the year. I’m excited to be competing again, and it would be nice to start on a high even though it’s not the main focus right now,” Edghill told SportsMax.Tv.
Edghill is no stranger to high-level competition. Having represented Guyana at the Olympic Games, she has continually pushed herself to new heights, both on and off the table.
In fact, she pointed to her Paris Games appearance as well as starting her own business as her two major achievements last year. Still, she said the year was not without its challenges.
“There were many disappointments, but it was more so things that were out of my control. So I just tried to stay as positive as I could,” she shared.
With that mindset, Edghill remains focused on moving forward, ensuring that she continues to improve and compete at the highest level. As such, she has made adjustments to her training regimen, incorporating a more structured and physical approach.
“My preparation has been a bit different. I’ve been working with a bit more structure and focused a bit more on my strength and conditioning. So I’m in a good place mentally and physically, so it’s all about executing well,” she explained.
While the 27-year-old is seeking to make a deep run in the tournament and potentially secure a World Cup spot, her focus goes well beyond this tournament, as she has her sights set on a busy and productive 2025 season.
“My expectations would be to have a very competitive year, attending many tournaments. But that isn’t entirely up to me,” Edghill noted.