National team of China
“Time flies. I still remember the final match of the 2003 World Grand Prix Finals in Italy, where China beat Russia in straight sets to win the World Grand Prix title for the first time ever. The triumph in the World Grand Prix was an important confidence boost and China went on to clinch back-to-back titles at the World Cup in Japan and the Olympic Games in Athens. For me and my colleagues, it really was the best time of our careers.” said Feng Kun.
“The Chinese team has won nine matches in a row in the preliminary round under the guidance of Lang Ping. Importantly the preliminary round gave Lang Ping the opportunity to try different players and line-ups and get familiar with her team. I am pleased to see China enter the Finals as the top finisher in the preliminary round, but the players now need to put this behind them and concentrate on this coming weekend’s matches. They should just do the best they can. Of course they will try to take every opportunity to win, but the goal of the team for this tournament is not winning the title, but looking for their best line-up and improving overall performance.”
Feng Kun is a former Chinese volleyball who retired in 2011. In a distinguished career Kun won many titles, including gold at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games – where she was also named MVP and Best Setter – and bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2003 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup, the 2001 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Grand Champions Cup and the 2003 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix where she was also the Best Setter. She was also the Athletes’ Role Model at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010.
To read more news from this competition click on World Grand Prix 2013.
