Table tennis: Australia intensifies training for Commonwealth Games

THE Australian National Team is gearing up for a tilt at the medals at the forthcoming 2014 Commonwealth Games. An intense schedule, the competition commences on July 24 and concludes on August 3, proceedings being staged in Glasgow, Scotland.
  Both the Men’s and Women’s Team comprise a solid blend of youth and experience.
  Headlining the Men’s Team is Australia’s talisman William Henzell. He will be competing at his fourth Commonwealth Games.
  Now 32 years old, the right-hander from Adelaide in South Australia no longer plays full-time as a professional but he can still mix it with highly ranked opponents. The fact was underlined by his victory over Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting en route to making the Men’s Singles semi-final at the recently completed GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Ozcare Australian Open in Sydney.
  David Powell, Kane Townsend, Chris Yan and Heming Hu, all of whom will be competing at their first Commonwealth Games, will support Henzell.
  David Powell, Kane Townsend and Hemming Hu were all regular members of the Australian Junior Team in their formative years and recently they have established themselves in the Australian Men’s Team.
  Chris Yan will be making his Australian debut, the 25 year old who hails from X’ian, China has been living in Australia for five years, no doubt he is looking forward to the opportunity at hand.
  Meanwhile, the Women’s Team will spear headed by the vastly experienced pair of Jian Fang Lay and Miao Miao, both of whom will be playing their fourth Commonwealth Games.
  Zhenhua Dederko who will be making her second Commonwealth Games appearance plus Melissa Tapper and Sally Zhang will join them.
  Tapper will make history in Glasgow, as she is the first athlete to compete at the Commonwealth Games in addition to the Paralympics.
  The left-hander from Melbourne finished in fourth place in Women’s Singles Class 10 at the 2012 London Paralympics and made headlines in Australia after successfully qualifying for Glasgow.
  Meanwhile, 22 year-old Sally Zhang learned her trade in Hebei, China before moving to Australia five years ago. Like Chris Yan it will be her first time in Australian colours.
  Completing the team is Jens Lang (Head Coach), Oh Nam Ho (Assistant Coach) and Scott Houston (Team Manager).
  For the past week the Australian National Team has been fine-tuning their preparation with a training camp at the Shandong Luneng Table Tennis Club in Jinan, China. The players have relished the opportunity to train in world-class facilities in a fully professional environment at a club that is home to a host of superstars including Zhang Jike, Li Xiaoxia, Timo Boll, Chen Meng, Hao Shuai and Fang Bo.
  Table Tennis Australia is extremely grateful and thankful for the opportunity provided to train at Shandong Luneng; they have provided first class hospitality and proven themselves to be gracious hosts.
  Australia will be hoping that both the quality and quantity of training available at Shandong Luneng will provide an edge over their opponents at the business end of the competition in Glasgow. One thing is certain, the Australian trademark never say die attitude and fighting spirit will be on display throughout.