If experience is anything to go by, table tennis veterans Miao Miao and Jian Fang Lay would have to be among the medal favourites at the Commonwealth Games.
Both women will be competing at their fourth Games after taking part on every occasion since the sport was introduced in 2002.
That’s on top of the four Olympic Games and numerous world championships they have competed in since making their international debuts.
Miao, 33, who lives in Broadmeadows, will compete in the doubles, mixed doubles and team events, while Bundoora resident Lay, 41, will play in the singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events.
“We have our sights on winning medals at the Games after missing out in India [2010 Commonwealth Games],” national team coach Jens Lang said before the Australian team entered a training camp last week.
“Other countries have fully funded programs with more resources, which is the main challenge for us.
“We probably have chances in the women’s team event [which Miao and Lay are in] where we should be seeded in the top four.
“Both women are an important part of the team and seasoned campaigners.”
They will pair up in the doubles, in which they won bronze at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Both were part of the women’s team that won silver in 2002 and 2006, and Lay won silver in the mixed doubles at the 2002 Games.
“They have won medals before and are capable of winning them again,” Lang said. “They aren’t getting any younger, but experience will be a factor in major events like this.
“It’s not only during the events that it helps, but it’s also with the development of younger teammates.”
Lang said both women were still competitive at the top level and had no plans to retire.
“Jian is our top singles player, ranked 158 in the world,” he said..
“Recently she held a lead over the number four in the world and as long as she’s competitive against the top players she will continue playing.”
Lay and Miao are ranked 68th doubles pair in the world.
