Minhyung Jee Hoping to Don Australian Colours at Commonwealth Games

Minhyung Jee is keeping her focus on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
 
Australia has won 12 medals in table tennis at the Commonwealth Games since the introduction of the sport at Manchester 2002 with their first gold medal coming the way of Melissa Tapper four years ago on the Gold Coast in the TT6-10 Class.
 
Jee is hoping to add more medals to that tally if she is selected to be part of Team Australia for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, set to take place this July-August, especially having recently received her Australian citizenship.
 
“I will try to win medals in all events if I am selected or qualify,” she said.
 
The now two-time Australian champion burst onto the scene in 2016 after moving to Australia from South Korea and making the decision to take a break from table tennis.
 
However, it was during her break that she visited a table tennis club in her new hometown Brisbane, which would eventually spark her love for the sport again.
 
“I saw people were enjoying table tennis, and I also saw they loved this sport very much,” Jee recalled. “It made me feel very warm and happy to be surrounded by these people. I wanted to try playing again, the way they enjoyed table tennis and loved it.”
 
Since then Jee has been the one to beat on the National Team and hasn’t lost a match in Australia since 2017. When asked about what has helped her be successful, Jee said it came down to her mentality. 
 
“There are many good technical players in Australia but the mentality is also very important in women’s table tennis,” she said. 
 
To further improve upon her skills, the 33-year-old accepted an invitation to compete in Europe in the French Pro A League (Women), which is considered one of the strongest female table tennis leagues in the world. 
 
Playing with Allianace Nimes-Montpellier, who finished ninth during the 2021/22 season, gave Jee an opportunity she never thought she’d have again.

“I never thought I would have a chance to play professionally again and playing against many good players was the highlight in 2021,” the former South Korean representative said.
 
“I have trained and had matches against many different kinds of players that I have never experienced before. Trying to figure out and practice how to play against them is very helpful to improve my table tennis.”
 
While Jee is currently in the midst of a break after the end of the French Pro A League season, it won’t be long until she’s back at the table. 
 
She will partner up once again with young gun Yangzi Liu for the upcoming WTT Contender event in Oman from 2-5 March. The duo first competed together at the WTT Contender in Slovenia event in December 2021, where they reached the semi-finals securing a bronze medal with Jee giving high praise to the 19-year-old. 
 
“Even though it was my first time to pair up with her, it went well,” Jee said. “Yangzi is one of the best players in the world. 
 
“It was a pleasure to play with her, and I am sure we will get better.”