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A combination of experience and youth, it is not an unusual formula for a team competing in a major competition; the junior players looks to the more senior to provide the lead.
However, at the forthcoming 2015 World Team Cup to be staged in Dubai from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th January; is it not the converse scenario for Hong Kong in the Women’s event?
Lee Ho Ching and Doo Hoi Kem are the leading names in the line-up with the next in line being Jiang Huajun, Tie Yana and Minnie Soo Wai Yam.
Times Have Changed
Times have changed since the last edition of the tournament; the Times Property World Team Classic staged in the Chinese city of Guangzhou from Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st March 2013.
In Guangzhou Jiang Huajun and Tie Yana were very much the leading ladies with the principal support coming from Lee Ho Ching; Ng Wing Nam and Guan Mengyuan completed the squad.
World Rankings
At the time, the Women’s World Rankings issued for March 2013 showed Jiang Huajun at no.17, Tie Yana at no.19 with Lee Ho Ching being at no.65 and Doo Hoi Kem, who was not in Guangzhou, at no.120.
Now, 18 months later when the listings for December 2014 were issued; Lee Ho Ching was named at no.17, Doo Hoi Kem at no.22.
Meanwhile, Jiang Huajun appeared at no.36 with Tie Yana, who in the intervening period had given birth to her first child, being at the no.55.
Younger Players
The leading ladies for Hong Kong in Dubai are the younger players.
Lee Ho Ching is 22 years old; Doo Hoi Kem is four years younger. Conversely, Jiang Huajun is 30 years old with Minnie Soo Wai Yam being 16 years of age.
Experience of Major Events
However, both Lee Ho Ching and Doo Hoi Kem, despite their young years, are both relatively experienced campaigners.
Notably at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Championships in Tokyo, Lee Ho Ching was required to play a leading role and she duly responded; she was crucial to Hong Kong’s bronze medal finish.
Nanjing Youth Olympic Games
Equally, Doo Hoi Kem has responded in the hotbed of international competition.
In August 2014 she secured silver in the Women’s Singles event at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games and bronze in the Team competition with Hung Ka Tak.
Source of Motivation
Good form in Nanjing but later in the year in Shanghai at the 2014 World Junior Championships, she did not enjoy the best of fortunes.
Perhaps the fact that in her concluding appearance in a junior tournament, the efforts were not paved with glory, could prove a major motivational factor.
Support
Youth leads the way but of course Lee Ho Ching and Doo Hoi Kem do have arguably the most experienced support of all in Dubai.
Both Jiang Huajun and Tie Yana have scaled the heights of the Women’s World Rankings; heights Lee Ho Ching and Doo Hoi Kem have yet to realise.
High Status
Impressively, Jiang Huajun has reached the no.7 place on the Women’s World Rankings on no less than ten occasions; whilst Tie Yana has occupied the lofty heights of the no.3 spot.
Jiang Huajun occupied seventh spot on the listings issued in 2007 in July and August, also from October to December. She retained the billing for the first three months of 2008 before once again occupying the exalted position in June and July 2010.
Meanwhile, for Tie Yana, she ascended to the no.3 position in July 2006. Undoubtedly, for the young players appearing for Hong Kong in Dubai; the career high position achieved by Tie Yana provides a formidable goal.
Minnie Soo Wai Yam
In Dubai, Minnie Soo Wai Yam, who impressed at the 2014 World Junior Championships, is very much in the position that Lee Ho Ching possessed in Guangzhou in 2013.
Only 16 years old and listed at no.167 on the current Women’s World Rankings, she is present to savour the atmosphere and acclimatise to a major international event at senior level.
Two Years' Hence
However, I wonder when the 2017 World Team Cup is held, will the names of Jiang Huajun and Tie Yana appear?
No doubt the name of the fluent English speaking Minnie Soo Wai Yam will be prominent.
Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo By: Rémy Gros
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