Veterans Wang Liqin and Wang Nan will lead an all-star Chinese
team to the World Championships in Zagreb later this month.
The world's number two-ranked man and woman, both world and
Olympic champions, are among the 24 players named by Liu Fengyan,
director of the sport's governing body, for the world championships
from May 21-27.
Defending world champion Wang Liqin and four-time World Cup
holder Ma Lin have entered the men's singles, doubles and mixed
doubles events, while 29-year-old Wang Nan and 18-year-old Guo Yue
will be the busiest players on the women's team, each playing three
events.
The world's top-rated woman Zhang Yining will play women's
singles and doubles events.
The world championships is also one of the Olympic ranking
points competitions and Liu said his squad gives everyone a fair
chance.
"Every member of the team is standing at the same line right
now. Who will compete at the Beijing Games will be determined by
performances during the upcoming competitions."
Apart from the worlds, players will fight for as many points as
possible during the Asian Championships, World Cup, and ITTF Grand
Prix Finals this year.
"The number of tickets to the Olympics is limited and the top 20
players in the nation's men's and women's teams are so close.
"I am sure by adopting competitive methods within the team,
veteran players will be pushed to work harder while young players
will have the same chance to show their ability. This is the best
way to find out who is the best bet for the Olympic team."
To better prepare for one of the most important rehearsals for
the Beijing Games, the men's and women's squads have just completed
closed-door training in Xiamen and Zhengding respectively.
And according to head coach Liu Guoliang, the signs from the
camps were positive.
"I am quite satisfied with the training. The core players are
improving technically and tactically. Their performances during the
training camps give me a lot confidence ahead of the worlds," he
said.
The team's sweep at the worlds two years ago has raised hopes of
a repeat, but women's head coach Shi Zhihao attempted to dampen
expectations.
"Unlike the last world championships, we've selected a number of
new players this time. Many of them competing in a major
international event for the first time.
"I cannot be optimistic as some of them have only been paired
for a short time."
According to Shi, some of the doubles pairs were only decided
after the qualifying competitions last month so it will take time
for them to click.
Shi said she is also more concerned about the mental condition
of the young players than the menace they face from former China
players competing for other countries and regions.
"I think the biggest threat is not from the overseas Chinese. I
am more concerned about our players' ability to adapt themselves
mentally during the competition."
China's main challenege at the worlds comes from Ryu Seung-min
led South Korea and Chinese Taipei, featuring Chiang Peng-lung.
Meannwhile Greek Kalinikos Kreanga and Timo Boll of Germany lead
the European challenge.
(China Daily May 8, 2007)