Beijing, July 16 (Xinhua) -- In the 2023 Women's Volleyball World League Finals, the less optimistic Chinese women's volleyball team defeated Brazil 3:1 and "revenge" Poland 3:0, reaching the final while creating the best record in international competitions since the Tokyo Olympics. It turns out that whether it is an unfavored player or an unfavored team, as long as it has a champion's heart, it cannot be underestimated.
On July 15, Chinese players celebrated after the game. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Chen Chen)
The two victories in the quarterfinals and semi-finals are a victory for the team, a victory for momentum, and a victory for faith. In this year's Women's World Volleyball League, the performance of captain Yuan Xinyue and the main attacker Wang Yunbi once had some ups and downs, and they also encountered criticism. However, they have always been fearless to make a name for themselves in key races. In the match against Brazil, Yuan Xinyue's strong blocking led the team. Against Poland, she broke out offensively and scored 13 points. And Wang Yunbi not only continued his relatively stable performance in one pass and defense in these two games, but also scored the team's second highest 13 points in the hard battle against Poland, which strongly supported Li Yingying's diagonal. A penny of hard work, a harvest, her persistence has been duly rewarded.
On July 15, Chinese players Yuan Xinyue (top left) and Li Yingying (top right) blocked the net during the game. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Chen Chen)
Collective events, including the three balls, are different from individual events, and "one flower alone is not spring". In volleyball, for example, a team needs not "6 best individuals", but the best "6 players forming a whole". Not every player is talented, but an important role player like Wang Yunbi is also the cornerstone of the team's success.
On July 15, China's Wang Yunbi (first from left) smashed the ball during a match. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Chen Chen)
In the Rio and Tokyo Olympic cycles, when the Chinese women's volleyball team won three "three major competitions" (Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cups), there are many characters with champion hearts like Wang Yunbi in the team. Liu Xiaotong is not the main force most of the time, but he is a super substitute who can fight when called. Without her "savior" in the quarterfinals against Brazil at the Rio Olympics, it is likely that there would be no shocking comeback for the Chinese team. Before Gong Xiangyu grew up, Zeng Chunlei supported the Chinese team's receiving position. In the 2015 World Cup, under the difficult situation of Hui Ruoqi's absence, she took on the responsibility of captaincy and became the core of both the offensive and defensive ends, and made great contributions to the Chinese team's victory. Despite missing the Rio Olympics, she is still an indispensable piece of the puzzle for the Chinese women's volleyball team to regain its glory in the Rio cycle. The libero "Gemini" Wang Mengjie and Lin Li have their highs and troughs in Rio and Tokyo, but they have made indelible contributions to the team at different stages. Before the Tokyo Olympics, Lin Li, who was not selected, insisted on training until the last moment before the departure of the team, which is also the best interpretation of the spirit of the women's volleyball team.
Chinese player Wang Mengjie (center) passes the ball during a match on July 15. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Chen Chen)
The heart of a champion does not guarantee a championship forever, nor is it unique to champion athletes. It is the spirit of never giving up in good times and bad, a strong desire to win, and an endless passion ignited by the love of the sport itself. With the heart of a champion, athletes who are not so talented can also unleash their potential. If the champion's heart "cools", the champion athlete may also lose motivation to move forward.
On July 15, Chinese players celebrate scoring during a match. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Chen Chen)
Due to various objective reasons, the Chinese women's volleyball team is destined to be a challenger and impactor in the Paris Olympic cycle, and the team's way forward is unlikely to become a smooth road due to the highlight performance of this World League Finals. The team isn't perfect, either, and many of the problems that have arisen could be re-exposed. However, with a coach like Cai Bin who "does not believe in evil", a united guarantee team, and a group of players with the heart of a champion, this team is likely to continue to surprise us. The determination of the athletes and coaches to scale the heights has not wavered, nor should our patience and support for the team.
As long as it never stops, anything is possible.