Miao Miao - 2019 VU Sport Hall of Fame inductee

Miao Miao is one of Australia’s most accomplished table tennis players and a proud Victoria University alum whose international career spanned more than two decades.

Born in Tianjin, China, she grew up in Poland where her father worked as an elite table tennis coach with the Polish national women’s team. Under his guidance she developed her skills early and became Polish women’s doubles champion in 1996. In 1997, she moved to Australia with her family and soon established herself as one of the country’s rising stars.

Miao quickly dominated the Australian junior ranks, winning national titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles before progressing to senior success and international competition. Known for her fast attacking style and strong tactical awareness, she became one of Australia’s leading players.

She made her Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games, reaching the quarterfinals in the doubles event – at the time Australia’s best Olympic result in table tennis. Miao went on to represent Australia at four consecutive Olympic Games: Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. 

At the 2012 Games, she and teammate Jian Fang Lay made history as the first Australian women to compete in table tennis at four Olympic Games.

Miao also enjoyed success at the Commonwealth Games. At the 2006 Melbourne Games, she won a silver medal in the teams event and a bronze medal in doubles alongside Jian Fang Lay. Throughout her career she consistently ranked among Australia’s top players and was the nation’s highest-ranked athlete heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Fluent in Chinese, English and Polish, Miao has brought a global perspective to the sport throughout her career. Her longevity and dedication enabled her to compete at the highest level of international table tennis for more than 15 years.

Her induction into the Victoria University Sport Hall of Fame recognises both her achievements on the world stage and her contribution to the growth of table tennis in Australia.