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Stephy Zhang

The Chinese women’s team were in the midst of an injury crisis after key members pulled out of the coming Volleyball Nations League (VNL), prompting fans to question the high-intensity training associated with the so-called “women’s volleyball spirit”.
Just one week before the first stop of the VNL in Nanjing, head coach Zhao Yong admitted that injuries were hampering preparations.
In a recent interview, Zhao confirmed that 23-year-old rising outside hitter Wu Mengjie required knee surgery due to a training injury and would miss the entire tournament.
Wu was China’s leading attacker in last year’s VNL, averaging 18.92 points per match.
Another key outside hitter, Li Yingying, remained in Tianjin for rehabilitation following a severe right ankle injury sustained during the 2025 domestic league playoffs, failing to reach match fitness despite her inclusion in the 30-player VNL team.
Young opposite hitter Ji Yuxiao also left the squad due to injury, ruling her out of the coming campaign.

“Injury issues are currently the biggest challenge for the team,” Zhao noted.
Meanwhile, Zhao said that young player Zhou Yetong from Jiangsu was called up to the training camp to boost the squad.
Zhao stated that the training camp, which began in early April, yielded positive results despite the injuries. Overseas-based veterans like Gong Xiangyu and Wang Yuanyuan, along with Diao Linyu and Wang Mengjie, joined the team midway through.
China’s plan for the League was to use younger players in the earlier games to give them experience, while the veterans were expected to ease back into competition gradually, potentially sitting out the first two stops.
“The veterans led by example with high standards, bringing positive energy to the team mentally and during training while mentoring the youth. Inspired by them, the younger players fully committed to tactical training, improving their individual skills and teamwork. The team’s overall spirit was commendable,” Zhao said.
The 2026 VNL Nanjing will be held June 3 to 7, where China will face the Czech Republic, Thailand, Serbia and Poland.
Along with the coming VNL, fans were also anxious about the team’s ability to perform in the Asian Championship in late August, where the winner will secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“They say the same thing every year about testing new players,” one fan said.
“One injury is an accident, but when two or three get hurt, they need to rethink their support system,” another added.
Netizens also questioned whether the current training schedule overemphasised collective unity and cast doubt on the revered concept of “the spirit of the Chinese women’s volleyball team”.
The concept, forged during the team’s historic five consecutive world titles in the 1980s, evolved into a nationwide symbol of resilience, famously encapsulated by former coach Lang Ping as the relentless drive to win despite adversity.
“We are the only ones holding long-term training camps every day. Doesn’t it cause boredom and fatigue? Do they have to train us to death just to demonstrate the women’s volleyball spirit?” a user commented.
Many fans also urged the team to recall Zhu Ting, who plays in a top European professional league at a world-class level, but tournament registration deadlines prevented her immediate return.


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China

Fans question training methods and are fearful of chances at Asian Championship, which is a qualifier for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics


Fans question training methods and are fearful of chances at Asian Championship, which is a qualifier for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.


Zhu Ting

China women’s volleyball team hit by injuries as key players pull out of Nations League

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Fans question training methods and are fearful of chances at Asian Championship, which is a qualifier for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Fans question training methods and are fearful of chances at Asian Championship, which is a qualifier for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics