Meet Jenson Van Emburgh’s Parents, Mother Tracey, Father Gref, and Brother Jake

American table tennis player Jenson Van Emburgh was born on May 28, 2000, and he competes in high international championships. He won silver at the Pan-American Games, bronze at the Olympics, and double silver at the Pan-American Games. Additionally, he qualifies for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Jenson Van Emburgh qualifies for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games

Jenson Van Emburgh has earned a spot in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. He is a previous Paralympian, having won a bronze medal in the Singles Class 3 category at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Recently, Jenson demonstrated his excellent performance at the 2024 ITTF Para US Open in Corpus Christi, Texas. He won his group in the Men’s Singles Class 3 with three 3-0 victories, defeated Anurak Laowong of Thailand 3-1 in the semifinals, and then beat Yin Chien-ping of Taipei 3-0 in the final.

“I am very pleased to defend my title as the US Para Open Champion again. I have always enjoyed playing in my home country. I feel the most relaxed and comfortable here. This tournament was a stepping stone for the tournaments I will participate in March, May, and most importantly, the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games!”

After the tournament, Jenson expressed his happiness, saying,

Jenson Van Emburgh’s father Greg is also a former tennis player

Jenson was born on May 28, 2000, in Naples, Florida. After living there for one year, his family moved to Kentucky for a few years. Then, they went to Wisconsin, where Jenson started playing table tennis. He was coached by Ladislav Sranko, also known as Latso, from Kosice, Slovakia, and Vlad Farcas. Jenson is 5 feet and 9 inches tall.

Jenson’s mother’s name is Tracey, and he has a brother named Jake. There is a picture of Jenson with his father and brother Jake on Christmas, taken from Jenson’s Instagram account.

Jenson Van Emburgh’s father, Greg, was also a former tennis player. He reached the semifinals of the 1990 Wimbledon Championships.

Jenson with his Family
Image: Jenson with his Family (Source: Jake’s Instagram)

Jenson was paralyzed from the chest down due to a spinal cord injury at birth. His father, Greg, is the head men’s tennis coach at Florida Southern.

Currently, Jenson is a senior at Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida. After graduating, he plans to train table tennis full-time, instead of the four times a week he trains now. Jenson graduated from Seminole High School in 2018 and is studying psychology at Florida Southern. He started playing ping pong at the age of 9 during his brother’s tennis tournaments. Now, he is back in Belleair Beach, Florida, and continues his training with coach Gary Fraiman.

Who is Jenson Van Emburgh Girlfriend?

Jenson Van Emburgh is in a happy relationship with his girlfriend Luisa Palacios. The couple usually go on a date and are sometimes seen on some games together.

Jenson With his Girlfriend Luisa
Image: Jenson With his Girlfriend Luisa (Source: Jenson’s Instagram)

Starting of Jenson Van Emburgh’s Career

In 2012, Jenson took part in the Badger Open Tournament, Rockford Fall Open Tournament, and Shorewood Fall Open Tournament. That year, his rating increased from 0 to 931, and then from 0 to 950.

In 2013, Jenson participated in various tournaments, including the Wisconsin Closed State Championships, America’s Team Championship, Badger Open, and South Shore Sports/Butterfly Table Tennis Championships. His rating increased from 931 to 1,422, and then from 950 to 1,413.

In 2014, Jenson competed in the America’s Team Championships, US Open, Badger Open, and Brew City Fall Open. His rating increased from 1,422 to 1,631, and then from 1,413 to 1,619.

In 2015, Jenson took part in the MTTC Team Open, America’s Team Championship, Mid Florida Table Tennis Tour – 2015 – Lakeland – July Classic Open, Texas Wesleyan Open, and Clearwater Fall Open. His rating that year increased from 1,631 to 1,586, and then from 1,619 to 1,601.

In 2016, Jenson participated in the USA Table Tennis National Championships. His major achievements that year included a bronze medal in the Teams Class 3 event at the PTT Spanish Open, a silver medal in the Singles Class 3-5 event at the Romania International Table Tennis Junior Open, a bronze medal in the Teams Class 3 event at the Romania International Table Tennis Open, and a bronze medal in the Singles class 3 event at the US Open. His rating increased from 1,586 to 1,601, and then from 1,601 to 1,620.

Major Achievements and Pan-American

In 2017, Jenson’s minor achievements included a gold medal in the Singles class 2-3 event at the IV Para Table Tennis Junior Open Ciutat del Prat, a bronze medal in the Teams class 3 event, and a bronze medal in the Singles class 3 event at the IV Para Table Tennis Open Ciutat del Prat, a bronze medal in the Singles class 3 event and a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event at the Czech Open, and a silver medal in the Singles class 3 event at the US Open. His major achievement that year was winning two silver medals in the Para PanAmerican Championships in different categories.

In 2018, Jenson had some minor achievements. He won the gold medal in the Teams class 3 event at the Slovakia Open. He won a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event at the PTT US Open Tournament and a gold medal in the Singles class 3 event. At the Czech Open Tournament, he won a silver medal in the Singles class 3 event and a gold medal in the Teams class 3 event.

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In 2019, Jenson had more minor achievements. He won a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event Lignano Master Open. He also won a gold medal in the Teams class 3 event in At the PTT Spanish Open. At the 16th Thermana Lasko Slovenia Open, he won a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event. At the PTT China Open, he won a bronze medal in the Singles class 3 event and a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event. Jenson’s major achievement that year was winning a silver medal in the Singles class 3 event at the Para Pan American Games.

Jenson Van Emburgh Recent Years

In 2018, Jenson had some minor achievements. At the Slovakia Open, he won the gold medal in the Teams class 3 event. He won a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event and a gold medal in the Singles class 3 event At the PTT US Open Tournament. At the Czech Open Tournament, he won a silver medal in the Singles class 3 event and a gold medal in the Teams class 3 event.

In 2019, Jenson had more minor achievements. At the Lignano Master Open, he won a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event, at the PTT Spanish Open, he won a gold medal in the Teams Class 3 event, at the 16th Thermana Lasko Slovenia Open, he won a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event, and at the PTT China Open, he won a bronze medal in the Singles class 3 event and a silver medal in the Teams class 3 event. Jenson’s major achievement that year was winning a silver medal in the Singles class 3 event at the Para Pan American Games.

What is Jenson’s disability?

Jenson Van Emburgh is a Class 3 Para athlete, which means he has a disability. He has a spinal cord injury that happened when he was born. Before finding his passion for table tennis, Jenson tried playing other sports like sled hockey, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair basketball. However, it was table tennis that he truly excelled at and made his main sport.