Volleyball star Hui Ruoqi endorses fresh talent to enhance China's aspirations for volleyball medals at the Olympics.
China's revamped volleyball squad set to shake things up with a blend of veterans and rising stars
Olympic gold medalist Hui Ruoqi threw her support behind China's new-look women's volleyball team, stating they'd bring renewed energy to the squad as details about the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League Hong Kong leg were unveiled on the weekend.
Speaking at a press conference, Hui – who clinched gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics – praised the team's vigorous training sessions following the major shake-up for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This overhaul comes after China placed fifth in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The tournament in question will be held at the Kai Tak Arena from June 18 to 22, replacing the Coliseum, where the league initially made its debut in 2018.
China's women's volleyball squad is gearing up for a podium finish in LA28 with a strategic blend of experienced champions and promising youth, led by new head coach Zhao Yong. Prominent players retain from the 2019 World Cup champions, including Gong Xiangyu, Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan, and Wang Mengjie. The young guns of the team are former Under-17 World Champions and Under-18 Asian Champions members, such as Yang Shuming, Fan Boning, Zhang Zixuan, and Wang Aoqian.
Zhao Yong, having guided China’s U17 team to a 2024 World Championship gold, leads the team. The coaching staff welcomes fellow Olympic champion Yang Hao onboard for the first time.
Hui demonstrated excitement for the young players as she shared, "I've tuned into their open training sessions, and the training is incredibly intense. I too joined the national team at 17, so I understand the pressures and anticipation these young athletes face."
This revamped team, with both seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, aims to establish China back at the top of the volleyball world ahead of the next Olympics.
- Hui Ruoqi, an Olympic gold medalist, expressed her confidence in China's revamped women's volleyball team, praising their vitality and intense training sessions, hoping they will re-establish China at the top of the volleyball world ahead of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
- The young guns of China's women's volleyball squad, including former Under-17 World Champions and Under-18 Asian Champions members such as Yang Shuming, Fan Boning, Zhang Zixuan, and Wang Aoqian, are expected to bring renewed energy to the team, contributing to China's pursuit of a podium finish in the upcoming LA28 Olympics.
- China's women's volleyball team will compete at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League Hong Kong leg, scheduled from June 18 to 22 at the Kai Tak Arena, where they aim to exhibit their blend of experienced champions and promising youth, led by new head coach Zhao Yong and fellow Olympic champion Yang Hao.
