Chinese will be spectacular

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32971, 18 July 1972, Page 26

Chinese will be spectacular

The visiting table-tennis team from China, recognised as the leading country in the sport, has already proved a very successful drawcard in the North Island, and a capacity crowd is guaranteed at Cowles Stadium tomorrow night when it plays New Zealand in the third and final test.

With about 40m players, it is hardly surprising that China has risen to the top rank since it was represented at a world championships, in 1953.

Although none of the tourists in New Zealand were members of the Chinese team at the last world tournament, at which China won four of the seven titles—several of them have had earlier experience in international contests. PEN GRIP USED

In the typical Asian style, the players are mainly pengrippers who delight in playing the open, attacking game. Their forehand loops are hit at tremendous speed and the spin serves are something the New Zealand players nave still to master.

The personal characteristics of each player should prove entertaining for the spectators. Ou Sheng-lien, aged 29, a teacher, on occasions tosses the ball 15ft in the air to serve, and Chen Chin-tang

sometimes crouches almost on the floor when serving. WOMEN PLAYERS Li Ho-nan and Cheng Yushan are the leading women players in the team. Although of small build, Li Ho-nan can smash very powerfully, and she is one of China’s brightest woman prospects. Sne has attended three world championships and at the third was a member of the champion women’s team. Cheng Yu-shan, aged 28, was the runner-up in the women’s doubles, and finished third in the singles at the 1972 Chinese national championships. The New Zealand team for the test includes the national men’s singles champion, R. E. Lee (Hamilton), arid the runner-up, G. B. Murphy (Hamilton), and Miss Y. M. Fogarty (Otago), and Mrs N. Traill (Northland), both of Whom attended the Commonwealth and world championships last year.