What an inspiring team!
After a disappointing performance at the 2010 World Championship & at the 2011 World Grand Prix, Hui Ruoqi, Wang Yimei, Ma Yunwen and Team China played a brilliant tournament at the 2011 World Cup wherein they managed to win the bronze medal and also a spot at the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London. With such Cinderella story, those who doubted them have learned to believe in them. Those who supported and still support them, learned to believe in them more.
Therefore, they truly deserve to be awarded as the Best Team at the 2011 CCTV Sports Personality Awards in Beijing.
According to the FIVB, “the annual CCTV Sports Awards, recognized as the Chinese version of the Laureus World Sports Awards, is seen as one of the top events on the the Chinese sporting calendar. All 11 awards are decided by votes cast by 120 sports specialists.
“In 2011, the Chinese women’s volleyball team experienced ups and downs. But we have not lost our confidence, which spurred us to double our efforts and bounce back at the Asian Championship and the World Cup. This award is a great encouragement for the women’s volleyball team and we will make an even harder effort to prepare for the Olympic Games so as to repay your support.” according to Coach Yu Juemin at the awarding ceremony.
We have a feeling China is going to be a threat in London together with Japan who is expected to qualify at the Olympic Qualification Tournament in May.
On behalf of all the volleyball fans from all over the world, we’d like to congratulate Team China!
恭喜！
Side Dish: Other nominees were the men’s gymnastics team, men’s table tennis team, diving team and badminton team.
(source & images: FIVB)