From team leaders to role players, China's table tennis team boasts a rotating cast of characters.
Wang Nan, China's most successful table tennis player of all time, is determined to win a ticket to August's Beijing Olympic Games despite the challenge posed by younger teammates. Wang, the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic champion, is currently No 4 in the world behind teammates Guo Yue, Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia. [Agencies] |
But 12-year veteran Wang Nan has been a rare constant on the women's squad, establishing herself as the world's most prolific women's table tennis player and accumulating more major titles than even her legendary compatriot Deng Yaping.
Now Wang, who turns 30 this year, refuses to step down to make room for emerging youngsters. She is determined to grab a ticket to her third Olympics and would love more than anything to wrap up her glittering career with a gold medal on home soil.
"I will never give up before the final list for the Beijing Games is announced," Wang said. "I came through so many difficulties in 2007, but I held on. Everything I did in the last year was for a chance at Beijing Games."
It has been a roller-coaster year for Wang.
After missing several tournaments to start 2007, Wang watched her chances for the Beijing Games grow slimmer and slimmer as her Olympic points fell behind teammates Zhang Yining, Guo Yue and Li Xiaoxia.
According to ITTF rules, every association is only allowed to send three men's and three women's players.
The top 20 players of the first world rankings of the year earn direct berths to the Beijing Olympics, though no more than two players from one association can be chosen on ranking alone. An association's third ticket is determined after the continent's qualifier.
With Zhang and Guo's firm grip on the top two world rankings, the fight for the final Olympic ticket is an intense tug-of-war between Wang and teenager Li
With three singles titles from last year's ITTF Pro Tour under her belt, Li is already a strong candidate for China's Olympic team. Her chances were given another boost after she won last month's Pro Tour Grand Finals.
Wang was able to take some points back after a crucial victory at the World Cup singles final in September. She also capped up a difficult season last month in Hunan in fashionable style, beating Li at the high-profile Champions Cup.
"I am satisfied with the whole season. I am also glad to see that I am still able to win big matches even though I am older than my teammates.
"People had doubts early in 2007 if I still had the ability to compete in higher level competition. Now I have proven they were wrong."
Apart from titles and Olympic points, Wang was especially pleased with her perfect record against overseas rivals throughout the season.
"I know gaining enough points is very important. But I think my comprehensive ability will play a more important role," said Wang, who won singles and doubles gold in Sydney and doubles gold in Athens.
"I did not lose a match to foreign players. This is why I am so proud of myself."
In Beijing, China's primary goal is to see Chinese players atop the podium so Wang's experience and dominance of overseas opponents could very well make the difference in whether she makes the team.
After Athens, emerging teenage stars like Li, Guo Yue and Guo Yan, as well as the public's increasing doubts, pushed Wang to the edge of retirement.
Despite her struggles, Wang chose not to hang up the racket and her never-say-die spirit paid dividends in 2007.
By the end of her up-and-down season, Wang was ranked fourth in the ITTF world rankings, just eight points behind third-placed Li.
"From now on, I will be fully focused on the fight for an Olympic opportunity. I know my fate is in my hands. I will get rid of all the distractions from outside."
Wang is now gearing up for February's World Teams Championships and March's Asian Zone qualifier. She knows it will be the final test before the ultimate list comes out.
With Zhang and Guo all but assured of the two automatic spots, it's anybody's guess who China will send to the Asian Zone qualifier to compete for the final ticket.
Asked how she feels about the uncertainty, Wang said she was ready to accept anything.
"When you choose to continue, you have to be mentally strong to take any result.
"I will not think too much about the final list. It does not mean anything to me. I have my eyes fixed on playing quality games in the following time."
But it's clearly important for Wang to compete in her final Olympics.
"I will retire after the Beijing Games. I hope my last game will be at the Olympics on home soil."
