(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-03-04 19:11

China's most decorated veteran table tennis champs Wang Nan and Wang Liqin, both nearly 30, won't hang up their paddles now although they have a string of world titles to their names. These two believe an Olympic appearance at home, and even better on the podium, would be the perfect way to cap their epic careers.

China's table tennis veterans Wang Nan (L) and Wang Liqin (R) walk out of the rail station of Hong Kong with men's team coach Liu Guoliang, March 3, 2008. The two Wangs will compete in the Asian qualifiers for the last two Olympic berths for China. [Xinhua]

But before then, the "big brother" and "big sister" will have to compete at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament in Hong Kong later this month to prove they are still fit for the Olympics after title dry spells in 2007.

The nation's table tennis and badminton sports governing body announced the entrance of the two players to the qualifying tournament after the men's team successfully defended their title at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Guangzhou on Sunday night. The women's team lifted their trophy for the 17th time a day earlier.

The news of the two Wangs competing in the upcoming qualifying tournament came as no surprise although they lost a game each in the second round of the preliminary stage at the Worlds last week. Under clouds of doubt and criticism, the two Wangs then displayed their sportsmanship as true champions afterwards without dropping one single game leading to China's eventual victory.

During the finals, Wang Nan consolidated victory by beating former compatriot world No.6 Wang Yuegu of Singapore to give China a 2-0 lead, while teammate Guo Yue dropped the first game and Olympic champion partner Zhang Yining won the second. Wang Liqin sealed the men's team title after a lop-sided win against world’s best chopper Joo Se Hyuk from South Korea.

The Chinese governing body plans to send the two veterans to their possible third Olympics because they "have extensive tournament experience and mindset, and their strong ability to withstand pressure".

Wang Nan bagged both the Olympic singles and doubles golds in Sydney in 2000 and won the doubles title together with Zhang Yining four years later in Athens. Wang Liqin was the doubles winner with partner Yan Seng in Sydney.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has dropped the men's and women's doubles games at the Beijing Olympics and will instead stage the team games, making the singles titles even more coveted. The rule says that each nation can only send no more than three players for the singles competition.

Four places of the Chinese Olympic squad have already been taken by Guo Yue, Zhang Yining, Wang Hao and Ma Lin, the world top two women's and men's players.

Liu Fengyan, director of the governing body said the team could not include substitute players. "According to rules, no substitute players are allowed to play in qualifying matches. That is to say, even if they [Wang Liqin and Wang Nan] are sick or injured, the opportunity to qualify will go to other countries."

"I hate hearing people say, 'I am holding on to play [for the Olympics]'. That is wrong. I am playing because I am able to play," Wang Nan said.