China NT 2021

    Quote from Cordelia

    That's another stereotype I'm disinclined to buy into. Anyway, Zhu Ting is the biggest star in volleyball; if she had really insisted that she needed more extensive treatment or time off, I'm sure her demands would have been accommodated.


    If she's obedient by nature and would do anything her superiors told her to then she is still to blame for what happens to her own body.

    another reason I think is Zhu Ting feels indebted to JLP for she was that one who gave her the break. JLP kinda discovered her. Picked her out from a provincial club , trained under her then to the national team. JLP must had manipulated her position / authority over ZT who treated JLP as a motherly figure and trusted her. JLP want to cement her legacy / power/ influence and knowing ZT is the force that can make it possible. She also wanted to retire with a bang.

    Quote from Realista

    I think that ,,she would know her body best'' is a contrary to any professionalism in modern sports, where professional athletes are monitored by specialists regarding their health and condition, who make valid decisions regarding intensity, weight of a training, and potential limitations during preparations. And first and foremost players function within a specific system: and the fact that Chinese players are more injury-prone, their careers are shorter and their shape has more fluctuation (examples of Wei or Wang) is a result of a system of training and general perspective of volleyball of Chinese coaches and a federation. So no offense, but this is not how professional sports looks right now. We all wish that Zhu won't become just another example of exceptional, but short career.


    Paola Egonu finished her club season in early May, then she got few weeks of break after exhausting season from Mazzanti, and the she joined a training camp in late May. Ask yourself if something like that would be possible in a regime of Chinese volleyball system, and if this is a difference of preferences or awareness - or a whole different system in which they both are a part of.

    I'm quite aware of how the Chinese sports system operates, thank you very much. Of course, she wouldn't make any decisions solely based on her own judgement because she isn't a medical professional, but she would roughly know how far she should push herself to avoid worsening her injury. Consult the in-house medical personnel or get an outside opinion and proceed from there.


    If she was some nobody I could believe that she'd just go along with whatever her superiors have planned for her, but she's the biggest name in the sport at the moment. I think that if she wanted to do things more in her own way, she could, like Li Na did in tennis. Yes, I realize this is a team sport, but the days in which Chinese athletes are just mindless little automatons toiling away in horrible conditions are less the norm these days, I would think. So, I think with her being as essential as she is to the Chinese team, had she made her needs known, she would've been accommodated.


    However, I don't think she's that type of character at all. She appears to be quite traditional and is probably very obedient to her superiors, especially to Lang Ping. Do her best for the team, suffer in silence and all that, which is a pity because look at what she's gotten herself into.


    I just think that blaming everything that's happened to her solely on Lang Ping and other higher-ups is quite frankly idiotic, IMO.

    Quote from Cordelia

    but she's the biggest name in the sport at the moment

    Not just the sport, definitely all of Chinese women's sports and maybe all of Chinese sport. Some of the male players could give her a serious challenge in terms of popularity though.

    Quote from Cordelia

    However, I don't think she's that type of character at all. She appears to be quite traditional and is probably very obedient to her superiors, especially to Lang Ping. Do her best for the team, suffer in silence and all that, which is a pity because look at what she's gotten herself into.

    I agree with you completely, but here's where I think we differ -- the allure of gold is too enticing and IMO it's the coach's responsibility to keep the athletes safe.

    Didn’t JLP herself said ZT

    JLP herself said ZT injury is really serious and could be a career ending injury. If she genuinely looking out / cares about ZT she would not let her play let alone select her to play in the Olympics instead get her the treatment / surgery and let her recuperate properly. Did JLP and the doctor lied to her the severity of her injury. Do you think she would give up the millions of dollars knowing she will lose all that money if her injury will end her🏐 career if she continue to play while injured? She / her family was dirt poor . Would she be willingly to give up the large sum of money and be poor again? she has been lied to and / or force to play.

    Quote from kittosuni

    So China is definitely out now. Funny thing is USA is now in trouble and have to beat Italy to avoid playing Serbia in the QF. ROC and Turkey really came thru these games.

    relieved that they don't have to play any more games.


    I say this without any hint of irony.

    Quote from benchwarmer

    Didn’t JLP herself said ZT

    JLP herself said ZT injury is really serious and could be a career ending injury. If she genuinely looking out / cares about ZT she would not let her play let alone select her to play in the Olympics instead get her the treatment / surgery and let her recuperate properly. Did JLP and the doctor lied to her the severity of her injury. Do you think she would give up the millions of dollars knowing she will lose all that money if her injury will end her🏐 career if she continue to play while injured? She / her family was dirt poor . Would she be willingly to give up the large sum of money and be poor again? she has been lied to and / or force to play.

    Zhu will not be poor even if she ends her career right now, she got millions already from her previous contracts.


    If someone can say no to JLP, it is Zhu. She is such an impactful player, she would have the balls to stand against anyone if she would really have a terrible injury right now.