New coach looks to lead China back to glory

A new head coach, a new coaching team, and a new generation of players — China's women's volleyball team is preparing to charge toward the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with "fresh blood", aiming to reinforce its dominance in Asia and maintain its status as a global powerhouse.

But, many challenges lie ahead for the new squad and its leadership.

On Thursday, the Chinese Volleyball Association officially announced the appointment of Zhao Yong as head coach of the national women's team. The 49-year-old replaces Cai Bin, and will lead a youthful team into the next Olympic cycle.

Olympic champion Yang Hao joins the coaching staff for the first time, while several U20 national youth team players — including Wang Aoqian, Yang Shuming and Zhang Zixuan — have received their first call-up to the senior national team.

"To meet the dual goals of preparing for the 2028 Olympics and revitalizing Chinese volleyball, we must show courage and determination, and complete the generational transition of the national team as early as possible," said Lai Yawen, director of the Volleyball Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China.

According to the center, Zhao was the leading recommendation out of more than ten candidates in a selection process guided by principles of openness and fairness. Experts and frontline coaches across the country were widely consulted.

Lai noted that, during the National Games qualifiers, the center held one-on-one discussions with volleyball veterans and head coaches from provincial teams. Most recommended Zhao for the top job.

"Zhao is a dedicated and energetic coach, with strong values, who is well-suited to carry forward the spirit of the women's volleyball team into a new era," Lai said.

Zhao began his coaching career in 2002 with the Liaoning men's youth team, took charge of the men's junior national team at 29, and became head coach of the Liaoning women's team at 30. In 2013, he led the Liaoning youth women's team to a silver medal at the National Games.

Over his many years of coaching in Liaoning, Zhao helped develop several top players, including Ding Xia and Yan Ni. The Liaoning women's team has long been one of China's traditional powerhouses.

Most recently, in the 2024-25 season, Liaoning defeated defending champion Tianjin to clinch third place in the Chinese Volleyball League.

In 2023, Zhao coached the China Women's B team at the Chengdu FISU World University Games, leading it to a dominant 3-0 victory over Japan in the final. That same year, he guided the team to a silver medal at the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship. Last year, he led the Chinese squad to victory at the FIVB Volleyball Girls'U17 World Championship.

Zhao said he felt honored by the appointment and deeply aware of the responsibility, as the Chinese women's volleyball team holds an unparalleled place in the hearts of the people, and carries the expectations and pride of countless fans.

"This honor and trust are both a motivation and a driving force for me. We will carry forward the spirit of the women's volleyball team, and make it our top priority to secure a spot at the 2028 Olympics," Zhao said.