The Iron Hammer

If you are in China you must have seen the picture of the Chinese Female Volleyball Team somewhere, in the subway, at the bus stop, or on some products in the market.

But why are them so famous and popular?

 

The answer is, for the ones who follow volleyball, as clear as crystal.

They are one of the leading and most successful teams in the world!

They won ten titles in the most important international competitions, including five World Cups, two World Championships and three Olympic Games. It already sounds considerable, but just to be sure that nobody misunderstands, we have to specify that those mentioned are only the Golden Medals won by this mazing team, without counting all the times they got on the podium obtaining silver or bronze medals. 

 

After the last victory in 2019, the World Cup that took place in Japan, the team went back to China and has been received from president Xi, that greeted them and told them how he sees the ideals and traits of China itself reflected in their team and their way to play each match without fearing the opponent and never giving up. He also mentioned Tokyo Olympic Games, saying that he’s expecting great results from this sensational group.

 

Now that we know how formidable and remarkable the Chinese Volleyball Female Team is, we should see who their coach is.

Her name is Lang Ping ( in Chinese 郎平），but she’s known all over the world as “The Iron Hammer”. She was born in 1960 and joined the national team in 1978, at the young age of eighteen, becoming immediately the leading spiker of the team and being soon nominated as captain. She lead the team to several victories, including the Olympic Games of 1984. 

From her performances comes the nickname “The Iron Hammer” that has been given to her thanks to the precision and power of her spikes as well as her tactical brilliance.

 

After her player career, she started coaching, not only in China, but also abroad, Italy and USA in particular. In the years between 2005 and 2008 she has been coaching the USA national team, causing a fierce public debate in China, as many people saw her as traitor, especially when, at Olympic Games of 2008 the USA team defeated the Chinese one and conquered the silver medal, while China just reached the third place.

 

After this Lang Ping went back to China and in 2013 she started being the coach of the Chinese National Team, leading them to the victory of the Olympic Games of Rio De Janeiro in 2016.

The success in 2016 made Lang Ping the first person in volleyball history to win the Olympic Games both as player and coach, holding the Guinness World Record and deserving the title of best volleyball player of the XX century.

 

She is undoubtedly an extraordinary athlete and a great inspiration for all the volleyball players and coaches all over the world.