Table Tennis: Veteran of the table turned in Games highlights

By DAVID LEGGAT

And the award for New Zealand's outstanding performer at the Commonwealth Games?

What about a 40-year-old Chinese New Zealander, who walked away with a gold, a silver and two bronze medals?

Li Chunli's performance in Manchester was nothing short of remarkable.

Going into the table tennis competition ranked world No 47, she beat Singapore pair Jing Jun Hong and Li Jia Wei, the world No 9 and 16 players, twice apiece, in the teams event and the singles competition.

Her gold - one of New Zealand's 11 in Manchester - came yesterday when she beat Li Jia Wei 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-8 in the singles final, one of the best wins of her career.

She picked up the mixed doubles bronze earlier in the day with Peter Jackson, and on Friday collected the silver medal with her sister Karen Li, losing to Jing and Li Jia Wei 3-11, 7-11, 12-10, 4-11 in the final.

In total, Li Chunli won a remarkable 24 out of 26 games.

Li lives in Tokyo half the year, plays in a men's super league there, and is defying the years to prove herself a match for anyone in the women's game.

She has been to the last three Olympic Games, but advancing years present no problem.

In a game requiring superb hand-eye co-ordination, quick feet, lightning reactions and speed of thought, Li has all the tricks.

It should be stating the obvious that she has never lost to a New Zealand player in the 18 years since she first came to this country.

"I think I play a little bit better now," she said. "Many people think I can't play that well.

"I just try and keep going and I feel my body is no problem."

And just how long will she keep playing?

As long as the body holds together - which considering her high level of fitness, is likely to be some years to come.

Her love of the game, a key point when retirement is peeping over the horizon, has not diminished.

New Zealand coach Simeon Cairns is impressed with her professional attitude to her sport.

"She is a role model for the others in terms of her professional approach.

"She still trains five hours a day," he said.

As for tackling the men in Japan?

"She doesn't have pressure on her; they have the pressure on them."

Li acknowledged that her game is helped by squaring off against some of the best male players in the world.

And that stood out in capital letters against some of the game's best women in the past week in Manchester.

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

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