As the film Marty Supreme brings table tennis into the spotlight, it also reflects a real-life story of resilience and community impact. Yasiris Ortiz, professional table tennis champion and Bronx-based educator, appears in the film—not as a fictional character, but as herself—bringing authenticity to the screen and highlighting a journey defined by discipline, perseverance, and empowerment.
Born in Bayaguana, Dominican Republic, Ortiz discovered table tennis as a child and quickly rose to compete internationally, representing her country at the cadet, junior, and senior levels. In 2016, she relocated to New York City, navigating language barriers, new schools, and the challenge of continuing her athletic career. Her determination led her to subway rides across the city in search of practice venues, ultimately turning persistence into purpose.
Ortiz’s community work began when she taught table tennis at an elementary school in the South Bronx, where she witnessed students building confidence, focus, and joy through sport. That program evolved into Spin & Learn, founded in 2020, which integrates table tennis with academics, fitness, and social-emotional learning. Today, the organization serves over 45 public schools across New York City, reaching thousands of K–12 students with in-school enrichment, after-school programs, wellness days, and author visits tied to Ortiz’s children’s book, Yasi the Champion. Partners such as Paddle Palace and Stiga Sports provide equipment and expertise, helping Spin & Learn scale its impact.
With the release of Marty Supreme, Ortiz has now launched the Spin & Learn Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at expanding access to table tennis, wellness, and enrichment programs beyond schools and into the broader community. The Foundation focuses on long-term, equitable impact, providing structured recreational opportunities for youth, families, and adults in underserved neighborhoods. Ortiz emphasizes continuity and access, ensuring that interest and talent in the sport do not fade after students leave school programs.
“The Foundation is about creating spaces where young people can grow, train, and belong,” Ortiz said. “Representation matters, but paired with access, it creates real change. Seeing table tennis on screen is powerful, but the real work happens in communities and schools.”
From the silver screen to classrooms across New York City, Yasiris Ortiz continues to show that table tennis is more than a sport—it is a tool for empowerment, resilience, and opportunity. Through Spin & Learn and the new Foundation, she is building a legacy where belief, discipline, and access come together to transform lives.
For more information, visit spinandlearn.com.