Gao Shenyang: Obvious Difference Between Chinese and World Women's Beach Volleyball Teams
Gao Shenyang, general-secretary of Chinese Volleyball Association, said that although two pairs of Chinese beach volleyball players have qualified for the Olympics, their level of play is still far behind the level of international competition.
Chinese athletes Xiong Zi/Chi Rong and Zhang Jingkun/Tian Jia have qualified for the Sydney Games. Gao Shenyang praised the two pairs for their performance in the World Women's Beach Volleyball Tournament in Dalian. He thought that they tried their best, especially Zhang Jingkun/Tian Jia who didn't have much hope but worked hard and grabbed the opportunity to go to the Olympics.
He also pointed that there are obvious differences between the two Chinese pairs and the top beach volleyball players in the world. First, they lack physical strength to handle the tough competition. Second, whenever they face opponents stronger than themselves they wilt. Third, their technique isn't sound. And fourth, they don't have the mental toughness of their foreign competitors.
Gao Shenyang said the Chinese players lack sound fundamentals and mental toughness. They must work hard. He thought that the two pairs have made tremendous progress in the Dalian tournament. Their original goal was to qualify for the Olympics, now they want to win in the Olympics.
Gao Shenyang, general-secretary of Chinese Volleyball Association, said that although two pairs of Chinese beach volleyball players have qualified for the Olympics, their level of play is still far behind the level of international competition.