Australia's number one ranked female Table Tennis player, Ms Stephanie Sang, has become an Australian Citizen on 27 October in a Melbourne ceremony, allowing her to represent Australia.
Ms Sang, 20, moved from China to Australia in 2002 and has spent the past three years improving her Table Tennis skills in Australia.
The final phase of Ms Sang's rise to glory came on Thursday when she finally became an Australian Citizen. She was announced as the top ranked Australian Table Tennis player by Table Tennis Australia at the conclusion of the season after an outstanding year on the competition circuit, the first year she has competed in the national level open competition.
Remarkably, Ms Sang won the Australian Top Ten Women's Singles Tournament, the Australian Open Women's Singles and Doubles Tournament and was runner-up in the Women's Singles at the Australian Closed Championships.
She said that she has worked very hard this year and is very committed to improving her game.
"Because I'm a professional player I work very hard to do my best.
"Being ranked number one in Australia is a really good result."
Now that Sang can represent Australia in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, she is concentrating on being a medal contender.
"I think I really have a chance to win a medal in both the singles and doubles. My toughest opponent will be Jiawei Li of Singapore. If I can overcome her I think I will be able to win a medal," she said.
Sang is excited to finally be an Australian citizen and can't wait for the Games in March next year.
"I feel proud to be an Australian and to have the opportunity to represent Australia at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games."
Last Modified on 24/01/2006 17:35