TABLE TENNIS: Four-time Olympians Jian Fang Lay and Miao Miao will learn next week if they will get the chance to equal beach volleyballer Natalie Cook’s record of five Olympic Games, when they compete at the Oceania Championships in Bendigo.
At the other end of the scale several players will be attempting to make their first Olympics, including Victoria’s Melissa Tapper, who is hoping to make history by competing in both the Paralympics and the Olympics this year.
“These matches are the best opportunity for me,” Tapper said.
“If I’m lucky enough to get to go to the Olympics as well it will be another event I can check off, and just try and do my best for my country.”
The best table tennis players from throughout Oceania will converge on Bendigo, hoping to secure one of the three Olympic places on offer.
Also in the mix for the Australian women will be the form player of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Sally Zhang, and 2012 Olympian, Vivian Dederko.
There will be a changing of the guard in the men’s Olympic race, with the announcement by four-time Olympian William Henzell that he is taking a break from the sport.
Melbourne’s Heming Hu goes into the event as the top-ranked Australian, just ahead of Sydney’s Chris Yan and 2012 Commonwealth Games athlete, David Powell.
“My expectations for this tournament are to qualify for the Olympics, and also gain a singles spot for Rio,” Hu said.
“I’ve been in Sweden for the past six months, so that has definitely helped me a lot. I’ve had my ups and downs, so to now be in this position is pretty good.
“I try to keep the Olympics out of my mind, but it’s always there. That’s what this is all about.”
Gold Coast brothers, Kane and Wade Townsend, are also expected to put up a strong showing after good form at the recent first stage Olympic qualifying event at Tweed Heads.
Australian head coach, Jens Lang, said there was a great amount of expectation about next week.
“Our main priority is obviously qualifying a men’s and women’s team,” Lang said.
“Australia was the highest-ranked Oceania team after the recent World Championships, so if we can hold that form we should have a good chance next week.”
Australia will be guaranteed both a men’s and women’s team in Rio if it can fill at least two of the top three positions in both competitions next week.
But just having one player finish in the top three may be enough for Australia, as long as no other nation fills both the remaining top three placings.
The 2016 ITTF Oceania Championships and Olympic Qualification Tournament begins on Sunday, with the Olympic qualifying finals to be contested on Good Friday, March 25.
Ross Solly
Table Tennis Australia
