CDNIS Communications Team
Former Chinese National volleyball team player and 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, Xu Yunli, made a recent visit to the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS). During her visit, Ms. Xu dedicated her morning to CDNIS volleyball teams, not only offering insightful feedback but also sharing her journey as a professional volleyball player.
Ms. Xu’s athletic journey began in track and field, but her height advantage led her to discover volleyball in middle school. However, it was in 2010 that marked a turning point in Ms. Xu’s journey towards becoming a professional volleyball player. Her volleyball skills reached an impressive level as she discovered a newfound sense of control on the court. Additionally, she developed a mature and positive mindset, which rightfully positioned her to tackle the challenges ahead in her career as a middle blocker.
Her most memorable achievement was winning gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. This win represented the many years of dedication and hard work she has invested and sacrificed as a professional volleyball player.
Through Ms. Xu’s personal perseverance and her team’s collective effort, she and her team achieved an extraordinary milestone. Ms. Xu recalls that the feeling of winning was incomparable to anything; it was filled with immense joy and fulfilment and served as a testament of resilience and determination for the chinese team. Insight Team
When competing in major tournaments, the ability to maintain composure and a calm mindset is of highest importance according to Ms. Xu. As a player, sustaining focus is key to executing the game plan and delivering a strong performance to beat competitors. These intense tournaments certainly challenge the mentalities of athletes, as they must contend with the pressure to deliver their best performance for themselves and their team. Therefore, the extent to which an athlete can effectively manage and combat stress is an immense factor in their success. Ms. Xu mentioned that during games such as the Olympic finals in 2016, she and her teammates focused solely on what was happening on the volleyball court, and ensured that they were fully present in the game against Serbia.
Visiting schools in different areas of the world is a rare and exciting opportunity for Ms. Xu, and her visit to CDNIS was particularly special. Through interactions with numerous volleyball players at the school, she was thrilled to see the passion and enthusiasm of the young athletes. Moreover, she felt a sense of fulfilment as she witnessed the impact she has on aspiring players who aim to pursue volleyball at a higher level. Therefore, she hopes to conduct more activities in the future to promote volleyball to the younger generation. By sharing her experiences, expertise, and love for the sport with ambitious athletes, she hopes to encourage more students to be a part of the future of volleyball.