On the campus of Beijing Normal University in the spring of May, a special student has attracted people's attention. She is not only the Olympic champion Zhu Ting of the Chinese women's volleyball team, but also a graduate student who is about to complete her master's studies. This hero on the court is drawing a successful end to his academic journey in the halls of history.
Zhu Ting's academic career began at the School of Physical Education at Zhengzhou University, where she laid a solid foundation in sports. However, her intellectual curiosity didn't stop there. At the end of 2017, she was admitted to the School of Physical Education and Physical Education of Beijing Normal University as a graduate student in sports humanities and sociology. It was here that Zhu Ting began another part of her study journey, and soon after, she made the bold decision to change her major to the School of History, studying modern Chinese history.
This decision stems from her deep interest in history and culture during her time playing in Turkey. Under the guidance of Professor Yang Gongle, the former dean of the School of History of Beijing Normal University, Zhu Ting jumped out of her "comfort zone" and stepped into a new field. Her master's thesis focused on the development of the national spirit of the Chinese women's volleyball team since the reform and opening up, and tried to interpret this important historical period from a unique perspective.
Zhu's research career has not been easy. As a professional athlete, she competes all over the world, which makes her most of the time only available through online courses. During her break in the European arena, she went online at 5 a.m. to listen to lectures from thousands of miles away. In between intense training and competitions, she also had to find time to read a lot of esoteric historical documents, over and over again, until she fully understood.
Zhu Ting's persistence is not only reflected in sports competitions, but also in academic pursuits. She said: "It's really tiring and my brain is confused, but I know that only by persevering can I live up to my choice." This persistence may be the reason why she has been able to achieve excellence in two very different fields.
Throughout her academic and athletic career, she has always been by her side. Lang Ping is not only Zhu Ting's volleyball coach, but also her spiritual mentor. Lang Ping's alma mater is Beijing Normal University, where she completed her English studies and became an honorary professor in 2008. The master-apprentice relationship between Zhu Ting and Lang Ping goes beyond teaching on the volleyball court, but also a spiritual and cultural inheritance.
Zhu Ting continues to move forward in the dual life of sports and academics, and she also actively participates in the training and competitions of the national team. In April, she announced that she would return to the national team during the World Women's Volleyball League to contribute to the Chinese women's volleyball team's qualification for the Paris Olympics. On May 10, after a brief return to her hometown of Henan, she quickly returned to Beijing to continue her training so that she could keep up with the rhythm of the national team as soon as possible. This tenacity and hard work of hers demonstrates her professional attitude and sense of responsibility as a top athlete.
Despite the challenges in Zhu's life, she has always maintained her love for academics. Her in-depth study of history has given her a deeper understanding and experience in understanding Chinese history, especially the spirit of the women's volleyball team. Through her academic research, Zhu Ting tries to provide a broader historical perspective for the spirit of women's volleyball, making it not only regarded as a sportsmanship, but a complex spirit integrated into the history of the country and the nation.
In addition, Zhu Ting's academic pursuits have also made her a bridge between sports and history. Through her own experience, she proves that athletes can succeed across borders and can show outstanding talents and contributions in fields other than sports. This is a great encouragement and motivation for the majority of students and athletes.
Zhu's story also exemplifies an important reality that women can be recognized and praised for their efforts and achievements in multiple fields. Not only is she a leader in the field of sports, but she is also gradually proving her worth and abilities in the academic world. This cross-cutting achievement demonstrates the multifaceted and potential of women, and further advances the social issues of gender equality and women's self-realization.
At the moment when Zhu Ting was preparing to graduate, she not only completed a period of study, but also took an important step in personal growth and career development. Her experience and achievements are not limited to herself, but also an inspiration to the society - to persevere in herself, to pursue bravely, and to achieve success and recognition no matter what field she is.
Just like her mentor Lang Ping, Zhu Ting has demonstrated an indomitable spirit and exceptional talent throughout her athletic and academic journeys. This spirit and talent has been an important part of her life journey and a key factor in her success in many fields.
From Beijing Normal University to the international volleyball arena, Zhu Ting has used her experience to define what a true all-rounder is, and how a Chinese woman can shine on the global stage. Her story inspires countless people, especially young people who aspire to make breakthroughs in their fields.