Can Li Xiaoxia power through to the Olympics?

Sunday night is an awkward time for me.  It is the time when the pre-work jitters start to set in, nerves that more often than not lead to at least a couple of frustrating and sleepless hours in bed.  While trying to fight off the jitters last night, I came across the finals of a table tennis tournament that was being played in Beijing University’s Olympic table tennis venue.  The first game that I saw was the semi—final between world no.1 Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia.  It was the first time that I have come across the 19-year-old Li Xiaoxia, who despite her anonymity, is world no.4.  The stocky Li, who provided a stark contrast with the impish Zhang, took a 3-0 lead over her opponent.  However, it wasn’t long until Zhang’s true colours shone through - she may be slight of build, but she is psychologically one of the toughest players going around.  Soon enough, Zhang had turned a 0-3 deficit into 3-3 and severely rattled Li.  To her credit, however, Li steadied and scored a memorable victory against the Athens gold medalist.  In the final, Li continued on her merry way and defeated another impish player, the world no.2, Guo Yue.  I was surprised to read in this morning’s China Daily that the victory improves Li’s chances of representing China at the 2008 Olympic Games.  Apparently, only China’s best three players can represent it at the Olympics.  That means Li Xiaoxia needs to get in front of Zhang Yining, Guo Yue and Wang Nan.  It is an amazing indication of China’s dominance that the world no.4 isn’t assured of playing at the Olympics.  In the men’s tournament, world no.1 Ma Lin had a comfortable victory over world no.2 Wang Hao.  Former world no.1 Wang Liqin has been struggling of late and is in danger of missing the Beijing Olympics.  It only seemed a few days ago that Wang was the dominant player in world table tennis, but there is no room for complacency in the Chinese team.  I predict that it won’t be the last time that pimple-faced Li Xiaoxia powers past her impish opponents Zhang Yining and Guo Yue.  Li Xiaoxia accepts the trophy for winning last night's tournament.  Photo taken from Sina.

Posted: 9:44 PM, 17/12/2007 in Beijing Olympics Share on Facebook

Add Comment