Yasiris Ortiz is a professional table tennis champion who appears in two scenes in the film Marty Supreme. Her life reflects the film’s core themes of discipline, belief and dreaming beyond circumstance.
Ortiz was born and raised in Bayaguana, Dominican Republic, where she represented her country internationally before immigrating to New York City in 2016. After navigating language barriers, rebuilding her athletic career, and riding the subway across the city in search of places to train, she found her purpose not only in competition, but in teaching the sport to young people in the South Bronx.
That work became Spin & Learn, an education and wellness organization she founded in 2020 that integrates table tennis with academics, physical fitness, and social-emotional learning. Today, Spin & Learn partners with more than 45 NYC public schools, reaching thousands of K–12 students through in-school enrichment, after-school programs, wellness days, and author visits tied to Ortiz’s children’s book, "Yasi the Champion." Now, as Marty Supreme introduces table tennis to a broader cultural audience, Ortiz is launching the Spin & Learn Foundation, a newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to expand access to table tennis and wellness programming beyond schools and into the wider community, particularly for economically disadvantaged youth and families.
I had a chance to interview Ortiz, who speaks candidly about representation paired with access, and why
visibility alone isn’t enough without sustained opportunity. Her story offers a compelling real-life counterpoint to the film, showing what happens when sport becomes a vehicle for education, leadership and long-term community impact.
How did you get involved in table tennis?
I got into table tennis because of my cousin. I’ve always loved sports and staying active. When I was around 8 years old, I was doing track and field while my cousin played table tennis. For a while, I did both, but after competing in my first table tennis tournament, I felt a strong connection to the sport and decided to focus on it.
Not long after, I was selected as a child to join a table tennis academy in Santo Domingo, where I trained 6–7 days per week. That environment was much more intentional and professional, and it helped me build my technical foundation, discipline, and resilience. There were moments when I thought about quitting, but my mom supported me constantly, even if it was just over the phone. That support made a big difference in my journey.
Why is table tennis a good sport for people from a variety of backgrounds?
This is one of my favorite topics because it connects to why I want to bring table tennis to more communities. Table tennis has no limits on who can play. It welcomes people of different ages, backgrounds, and athletic abilities.
It’s a sport that can bring multiple generations together. You’ll see kids, parents, and grandparents playing in the same space. It connects people from all walks of life and creates a very diverse and welcoming community.
It’s also highly accessible. People play for fun, fitness, competition, or professionally, and all of those reasons are valid. Everyone deserves a space in the sport and to feel respected as part of the community.
Why are both representation and access important for young people when it comes to sport? Representation matters because table tennis is still not widely known in many communities. If young people don’t see others like them in the sport, they may never realize it’s an option for them.
Access is just as important. Many families can’t afford expensive programs, and without local opportunities, kids get left out. When programs are brought into communities, more young people can participate regardless of their financial situation.
I truly believe that when youth have access to positive programs and sports, they stay more focused on their studies and personal growth, and they’re less likely to get pulled into negative environments. Sports can give them structure, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
How does sport have a positive impact on education and the community?
Sport has had a direct impact on my own life, and that’s why I believe in its value for education and communities. Through table tennis, I learned discipline, focus, and consistency at a young age. I learned that if you want results, you have to practice, stay committed, and not give up when things get hard. Those lessons shaped how I approach my studies, my career, and my personal life today.
When I work with students, my goal is not for every child to become a champion or a professional athlete. My goal is for them to be part of a supportive community where they feel represented, heard, and seen. A space where they can grow, build confidence, and develop life skills.
Sport brings people together, creates safe and positive environments, and helps young people build habits that support success in school and in life. For many kids, it can be a place where they find belonging and motivation.
For me, sport is not just about competition. It’s about development, community, and opportunity.
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