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| Photo: 鄧倩瑩 |
It has been awhile since Team Hong Kong stood atop the podium in the team event at the World Table Tennis Championships. After missing out on the podium (both the men's and women's team) in Kula Lumpur 2 years ago, finishing at 5th place, the team comes in this year with a bright and young squad.
Long-time veterans Tie Yana and Jiang Huajun are not on the women's team lineup this year. Instead, it's a team of young Olympic veterans Lee Ho Ching and Doo Hoi Kem in addition to 2016 World team member, Soo Wai Yam Minnie, who did not have a chance to compete in Kula Lumpur 2 years ago, and Ng Wing Nam and Mak Tze Wing, members of the bronze-medal-winning team at the 2018 World Team Cup.
Soo Wai Yam is a young but reliable player and may be competing as the number 3 player on the team, Hong Kong team coach Li Ching introduced. Another up-and-coming young player on the team is 19-year-old Mak Tze Wing who has just finished her HKDSE public exam right before the Championships. It was not easy to balance training with studies and she might not be at her best form heading to the competition but Mak's attitude has motivated the team, Mak Tze Wing said.
The team is confident coming in the championships, especially after ending third at the Team World Cup this February. They look for placing first in Group D in the group stage and strive for making to the podium.
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| Photo: ITTF |
The men's team lost veteran Tang Peng to injury, leaving Jiang Tianyi and Wong Chun Ting carrying the young team of Ho Kwan Kit, Lam Siu Hang and Ng Pak Nam. Despite Tang Peng will not be competing with the team in Halmstad, as the anchor of the team, he pays close attention to the team's performance, especially the condition of Wong Chun Ting. He reminded Wong to take good care of his body condition (Wong Chun Ting had a sore shoulder and minor pain in other parts early on this year) and avoid having serious injuries which may force him to end his career early. He also hopes Wong Chun Ting would overcome the pressure of the 3 major international competitions namely, Team World Cup, World Championships and Asian Games.
Wong Chun Ting believed the Hong Kong team is hopeful for a podium finish but before that, the team has to overcome Team Germany and Sweden which are strong teams in the same group of Hong Kong in Group A. Head coach Chan Kong Wah agreed Team Germany is a strong team to beat and Team Hong Kong has a tough draw. Thus, their goal is to advance to the quarterfinals.
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| Photo: ITTF |
Hong Kong's World Championships team squad has the same lineup of that of the 2018 World Team Cup with:
Men: Wong Chun Ting, Ho Kwan Kit, Jiang Tianyi, Lam Siu Hang and Ng Pak Nam
Women: Lee Ho Ching, Doo Hoi Kem, Ng Wing Nam, Mak Tze Wing and Soo Wai Yam Minnie
The team will compete among 24 teams divided into 4 groups of 6. The winner of each group will advance to the quarterfinals directly while the second and third team of each group will play the round of 16 to compete for the remaining spots for the quarterfinals.
Team Hong Kong will be leaving for the 2018 World Table Tennis Championships on 20 and 22 April and train alongside with the Portuguese team before the Championships.
References:
iCable News 20180411 (clip included)
Ko. (2018, April 11). Hong Kong Ready for 2018 WTTTC. HK01
TVB News 20180411 (clip included)
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