Zhu Ting (volleyball)

Zhu Ting (born 29 November 1994) is a professional Chinese volleyball player. She is an outside hitter and former captain of the China women's national volleyball team. Currently, she plays for Italian club Imoco Volley Conegliano.

Zhu and the Chinese national team have won several gold medals in international competition, including the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2015 and 2019 World Cup.

Since her debut in 2011, Zhu has received 15 MVP awards at all levels of competition (including national team and clubs), particularly the MVP award of Rio Olympic Games 2016. She is widely regarded as one of the most decorated and successful indoor volleyball players of all time. She was the highest paid professional volleyball player in the world, male or female, as of the 2018-2019 season.

Early life
Zhu Ting was born to a rural family in Henan Province. She has four sisters (two older sisters and two younger sisters) and her parents do not have any sports backgrounds.

In 2007, Zhu, who was 13 years old and 1.7 meters tall at the time, was sent to a sports training school by her high school physical education teacher. In 2008, she started professional volleyball training in the Henan Province sports school.

2010-2013: First MVP award at international tournament
After training professionally for two years, Zhu was selected to be on the Chinese Junior National team in 2010. She participated in 2011 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship and won a silver medal with the team. In 2012, she entered the U20 team and won the 2012 Asian Junior Women's Volleyball Championship. She was also awarded MVP for the first time. In 2013, she continued to represent China's U20 national team and attended the 2013 FIVB Volleyball Women's U20 World Championship, helping the team win the championship. Continuing her high-level play, she was eventually awarded the MVP, Best Scorer, and Best Spiker of the tournament.

2013: First year in China National Team and Bronze medal at Club World Championship
Zhu entered the Chinese senior national volleyball team for the first time in 2013, handpicked by Lang Ping who returned as head coach that year. Zhu participated in her first tournament in 2013 Montreux Volley Masters. Although the Chinese team finished in sixth place, Zhu was awarded Best Scorer of the tournament.

Zhu rose to prominence at the 2013 FIVB U20 World Championship where she helped her team to win the title without losing a set. She was awarded MVP and Best Outside Spiker in the tournament.

Playing her first Grand Prix at the 2013 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, Zhu helped her team to win silver medal, the first in six years. She was awarded Best Outside Spiker of the tournament.

Zhu participated in the 2013 Club World Championship with Guangdong Evergrande, winning the bronze medal after defeating Voléro Zürich.

2014: Silver medal at the World Championship
Zhu led the Chinese team to silver medal in the 2014 FIVB World Championship, the best result in 16 years. She scored 32 points in the semi-final against Italy but lost to the American Team in the final. Zhu was awarded Best Scorer as well as Best Outside Spiker.

2015: Asian Champion and World Cup Champion with National Team
At the 2015 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, the Chinese team won all matches and attained their 13th gold medal of the tournament. Zhu was awarded Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Spiker.

At the 2015 FIVB World Cup, the Chinese team won their 4th gold medal of the tournament and their first World Title since 2004 Athens Olympics. Zhu was awarded Most Valuable Player and became the third Chinese player since Sun Jinfang and Lang Ping to earn the title.

2016: Olympics Gold Medal and first season overseas


At the 2016 Rio Olympics the Chinese team defeated the two-time defending champion, the Brazilian Team in 5 sets in the quarterfinal. Zhu scored 28 points. In the semifinal, they defeated the Netherlands in 4 sets. Zhu scored 33 points, thus ranked no.3 on all-time top scorers list in a single match in the Olympic games. In the final, China defeated Serbia in 4 sets to earn their third Olympics gold medal since 2004. Zhu finished as the top scorer with a total of 179 points. She was awarded MVP and Best Outside Spiker, and became the third Chinese player since Lang Ping and Feng Kun to earn the MVP title.

Zhu joined Turkish club Vakıfbank Istanbul, becoming the youngest Chinese player playing overseas, with the help of her original club Henan Huawei as well as her Chinese Team head coach Lang Ping.

At the 2016 FIVB Club World Championship, Vakıfbank finished 3rd place after defeating Voléro Zürich in the bronze medal match. Zhu was awarded Best Outside Hitter. She also became the first player in the tournament history to be the best scorer twice after scoring 103 points.

2017: Second Year in Vakifbank, four MVPs at different levels of competition




Zhu won the 2016–17 Turkish League Best Outside Spiker and Best Scorer awards. In the regular season, VakıfBank finished first with only one loss throughout. However, the team was stunned in the semifinal by Galatasaray S.K. and failed to reach the final, although they managed to finish third after defeating Eczacıbaşı VitrA.

At the 2016–17 CEV Champions League, VakıfBank won all six matches in the preliminary round. They defeated Voléro Zürich in two 3-1 matches to reach the semifinal. They then defeated Eczacıbaşı VitrA 3-0 to reach the final. Zhu scored 24 points. In the final VakıfBank defeated the host team Imoco Volley Conegliano to win their third title of the tournament. Zhu scored 22 points and was awarded MVP.

At the 2017 FIVB Club World Championship, VakıfBank remained undefeated in the group stage to reach the semifinal, where they beat Eczacıbaşı VitrA 3-1 to reach the final. They then defeated Rexona-Sesc Rio in straight sets to win the championship for a second time. Zhu was awarded MVP and Best Outside Spiker. She is the first Asian MVP in this tournament.

In June, VakıfBank announced the renewal of contract with Zhu for the coming season. She was reported to be the world's highest paid volleyball player for a reputed salary of €1.35 million (US$1.61 million and HK$12 million).

Zhu was named new captain of China women's national volleyball team in 2017. She helped her team to reach fourth place in the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix and was awarded Best Outside Spiker. China then won gold medal in the 2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. Zhu was awarded Best Outside Spiker and MVP.

In December 2017, she won the Turkish Cup with VakıfBank and was selected as Most Valuable Player.

2018: Third Year in Vakifbank and Bronze medal in 2018 World Championship with National Team
In March, VakıfBank beat Galatasary in the semifinal of 2017–18 Turkish Women's Volleyball League. Zhu scored 33 points in Round 2 to help the team enter the final. In April, Vakifbank beat Eczacıbaşı VitrA 3:2 in the final to win the championship title. Zhu was the highest scorer of her team. Significantly, in the last round of the match, Zhu scored 20 points with an attack success rate of 68%, extremely high even among the best attackers. With this title, Zhu won the first national league championship in her career and was awarded MVP.

In April, VakıfBank won Voléro Zürich in Playoff 6 of 2017–18 CEV Women's Champions League. Zhu scored 21 points in Second Leg to help the team enter final four of the tournament. In May, Vakifbank beat Italian club Imoco Volley and Romanian club CSM Volei Alba Blaj in the semifinal and final, eventually winning the club's 4th championship title. Zhu scored 24 points and 15 points in these two rounds and was awarded Best Outside Spiker.

Vakifbank swept all championship titles of the 2017-2018 season. With that, Zhu became the only volleyball player in the world to attain championship titles as well as MVP awards in club competitions of all levels, including the national, regional and world level.

On June 21, VakıfBank announced the renewal of contract with Zhu which is her third season with the club.

In July, Zhu returned to the National team and continued as a core player. She led the Chinese team to a bronze medal at the 2018 Nations League and was awarded Best Outside Spiker.

In September, she made her debut in the Jakarta Asian Games. The Chinese team was dominant throughout the tournament, winning the gold medal without dropping a single set.

From September to October, she led the Chinese team to a bronze medal at her second FIVB World Championship. She was again awarded Best Outside Spiker, her second at the Championship.

In December, Zhu played at the Club World Championship held in Zhejiang, China. With overwhelming support from her countrymen, she propelled Vakifbank to a resounding victory, beating two Brazilian clubs in the semifinal and final matches. Again, she was awarded the tournament's MVP and Best Outside Spiker.

2019-2020: Second World Cup Champion and return to Chinese League
In March, Vakifbank beat Russian club Dinamo Moscow in the second round of the quarter-final of the 2018–19 CEV Women's Champions League. Zhu scored 17 points with a greater-than-60% attack success rate. The team advanced to the semi-final.

From April to May, Vakifbank beat Eczacıbaşı VitrA 3:2 again in the final of the 2018–19 Turkish Women's Volleyball League and won the championship title. In the 5 matches of the final, Zhu scored 106 attack points with a 50% success rate, ranking first amongst all spikers. She again received the tournament MVP award.

On 7 May, Zhu and Vakifbank announced that she would leave the team temporarily, in order to concentrate on training with the national team for the 2020 Summer Olympics. Zhu would return to Chinese League.

In September, Zhu played her second FIVB World Cup in Japan. She led team China to win all 11 matches, successfully defending their champion. Zhu received her second FIVB World Cup MVP award and was elected Best Outside Spiker.

On 1 October, Zhu announced via social media that she would join Chinese club Tianjin Bohai Bank in the coming season.

In December, Zhu and Tianjin team successfully enter the final of the 2019-20 Chinese Volleyball League. Zhu scored the highest points in the two semifinal matches against Beijing.

2021: Chinese League Champion, Wrist Injury, Tokyo Olympics and aftermath
Zhu continued to play at Tianjin in the season 2020-21 and finally won the champion again. She received her second MVP award of Chinese Volleyball League.

Zhu was plagued by an ongoing wrist injury that first occurred in 2017. Instead of opting for radical surgery, she underwent conservative treatment due to her volleyball schedule. The injury continued to plague her at the Tokyo Olympics. After China's disappointing result in their bid to defend their Olympic champion, China's coaches and players were heavily criticized across social media by Chinese fans. In August 2021, Zhu announced she would be filing a lawsuit against internet trolls for harassment and for "deliberately smearing" her. Meanwhile, Zhu did not sign with any club in season 2021/22, as she planned to take a rest and wait for surgery.

2022: Wrist surgery and recovery, Signed with Scandicci
Zhu announced on her Sina Weibo in April that she has successfully finished her wrist surgery and was undergoing rehabilitation.

On 2 July, Italian Serie A1 club Savino del Bene Scandicci announced the transfer of Zhu to their club in the coming season, which is her second overseas career experience.

On 3 November, Scandicci defeated Casalmaggiore 3-0 in regular season games. Zhu was substituted at set two and three and contributed 6 points, including 5 spikes. This was Zhu's first match after 14 months since Tokyo Olympics.

2023: CEV Cup Champions and extended contract with Scandicci
On 13 April 2023, Scandicci beat CSM Volei Alba Blaj in straight sets to win their first Women's CEV Cup champion. Zhu scored 13 points. This was her first champion after her wrist surgery.

On 28 May, Scandicci officially announced the extension of contract with Zhu for one more season.

2024: Return to Chinese National Team, Signed with Conegliano
On 8 April 2024, Zhu announced on her social media that she will return to Chinese National Team, and play at 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League.

On 27 June, Italian Serie A1 club Imoco Volley Conegliano announced the signing of Zhu in the coming season, which is her third season at Italian League. She is the first Chinese player in the history of the club and will play with the number 4.

Junior team

 * 2011 U18 World Championship - Silver medal 2006 OG.svg Silver Medal
 * 2012 Asian Junior Championship - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal
 * 2013 U20 World Championship - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal

Senior team

 * 2013 World Grand Prix - Silver medal 2006 OG.svg Silver Medal
 * 2014 World Championship - Silver medal 2006 OG.svg Silver Medal
 * 2015 Asian Championship - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal
 * 2015 World Cup - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal
 * 2016 Olympic Games - Gold medal.svg - Gold medal
 * 2017 World Grand Champions Cup - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal
 * 2018 Volleyball Nations League - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze Medal
 * 2018 Asian Games - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal
 * 2018 World Championship - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze Medal
 * 2019 Volleyball Nations League - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze Medal
 * 2019 World Cup - Gold medal 2006 OG.svg Gold Medal

Club

 * 2013 Club World Championship - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze medal, with Guangdong Evergrande
 * 2016 Club World Championship - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze medal, with VakıfBank
 * 2016–17 Turkish Cup - Simple silver cup.svg Runner-Up, with VakıfBank
 * 2016–17 CEV Champions League - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2016–17 Turkish League - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze medal, with VakıfBank
 * 2017 Club World Championship - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2017 Turkish Super Cup - Turkey emblem round.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2017–18 Turkish Cup - National Cockade of Turkey.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2017–18 Turkish League - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2017–18 CEV Champions League - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2018 Turkish Super Cup - Simple silver cup.svg Runner-Up, with VakıfBank
 * 2018 Club World Championship - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2018–19 Turkish League - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with VakıfBank
 * 2019–20 Chinese League - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with Tianjin Bohai Bank
 * 2020–21 Chinese League - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with Tianjin Bohai Bank
 * 2022–23 Women's CEV Cup - Simple gold cup.svg Champion, with Savino del Bene Scandicci
 * 2022–23 Italian League - Bronze medal 2006 OG.svg Bronze medal, with Savino del Bene Scandicci
 * 2023–24 Italian League - Simple silver cup.svg Runner-Up, with Savino del Bene Scandicci

Individual awards

 * 2012 Asian Junior Championship "Most valuable player"
 * 2012 Asian Junior Championship "Best scorer"
 * 2012 Asian Junior Championship "Best spiker"
 * 2013 FIVB Junior World Championship "Most valuable player"
 * 2013 FIVB Junior World Championship "Best outside hitter"
 * 2013 Montreux Volley Masters "Best scorer"
 * 2013 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best outside spiker"
 * 2013 Asian Volleyball Championship "Best spiker"
 * 2014 FIVB World Championship "Best scorer"
 * 2014 FIVB World Championship "Best outside spiker"
 * 2015 Asian Championship "Most valuable player"
 * 2015 Asian Championship "Best outside spiker"
 * 2015 FIVB World Cup "Most valuable player"
 * 2016 Olympic Games "Most valuable player"
 * 2016 Olympic Games "Best outside spiker"
 * 2016 FIVB Club World Championship "Best outside spiker"
 * 2016–17 Turkish League Regular Season "Best outside spiker"
 * 2016–17 CEV Champions League "Most valuable player"
 * 2017 FIVB Club World Championship "Best outside spiker"
 * 2017 FIVB Club World Championship "Most valuable player"
 * 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best outside spiker"
 * 2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup "Best outside spiker"
 * 2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup "Most valuable player"
 * 2017–18 Turkish Cup "Most valuable player"
 * 2017–18 Turkish Volleyball League "Most valuable player"
 * 2017–18 CEV Champions League "Best outside spikers"
 * 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League "Best outside spiker"
 * 2018 FIVB World Championship "Best outside spiker"
 * 2018 FIVB Club World Championship "Best outside spiker"
 * 2018 FIVB Club World Championship "Most valuable player"
 * 2018–19 Turkish Volleyball League "Most valuable player"
 * 2019 FIVB World Cup "Most valuable player"
 * 2019 FIVB World Cup "Best Outsider Spiker"
 * 2019–20 Chinese Volleyball League "Most valuable player"
 * 2019–20 Chinese Volleyball League "Best outside spiker"
 * 2020–21 Chinese Volleyball League "Most valuable player"

Other Achievements

 * Xinhua News Agency's Top Ten Chinese Athletes of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
 * 2016 CCTV Sports Personality of the Year: Best Female Athlete

Film

 * Leap (2020) - as Zhu Ting