China women's volleyball coach Zhao says ‘hard work' can take team back to top

South China Morning Post

29-04-2025

The new head coach of China's women's volleyball team has said his players are ready to embrace hard work as they look to re-establish themselves on the world stage.
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Zhao Yong, who took the helm earlier this month, said success was not 'forged by trophies alone' but also involved overcoming adversity.
China's women, who have won a combined 10 titles at Olympics, World Cups and World Championships, finished a disappointing ninth at the Tokyo Olympics before ending up fifth in Paris last year.
'We are expected to meet more challenges and difficulties, but we believe we will achieve what we want to by hard work on a daily basis,' Zhao said at an opening training session on Monday.
In the quest for a medal at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, the squad has undergone a major overhaul.
Veterans (from left) Li Yingying, Gong Xiangyu and Wang Mengjie are still in the China squad. Photo: Xinhua
Only a few veterans, including 2019 World Cup winners Gong Xiangyu, Li Yingying, Wang Yuanyuan and Wang Mengjie, have stayed on the roster, which features several members of the teams that won last year's Under-17 World Championships and Under-18 Asian Championships.