| Zhu Ting | |||||||||||||||
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Nickname | Zhu, Zhuper, MVP Harvester | ||||||||||||||
| Nationality | Chinese | ||||||||||||||
| Born | (1994-11-29)November 29, 1994 (age 30) Dancheng,Zhoukou,Henan,China | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| Spike | 329 cm (130 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Block | 315 cm (124 in) | ||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | |||||||||||||||
| Position | Outside hitter | ||||||||||||||
| Current club |  Imoco Volley Conegliano | ||||||||||||||
| Number | 2 (National team), 4 (Club) | ||||||||||||||
| Career | |||||||||||||||
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| National team | |||||||||||||||
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Honours | |||||||||||||||
| Last updated: June 2024 | |||||||||||||||
Zhu Ting (Chinese:朱婷;pinyin:Zhū Tíng; born 29 November 1994) is a professional Chinesevolleyball player.[1] She is an outside hitter and former captain of theChina women's national volleyball team.[2] She currently plays forImoco Volley Conegliano.
Zhu has won several gold medals in international competitions with the Chinese national team, including at the2016 Olympic Games and the2015 and2019 World Cups.
Since her debut in 2011, Zhu has received 15 MVP awards at club and international level, including theMVP award of the women's volleyball tournament at the Rio Olympic Games 2016. She is one of the most decorated and successful indoor volleyball players of all time[3] and is widely regarded as one of the best female volleyball players of her era,[4] and one of the greatest of all time.[5][6][7] She was the highest paid professional volleyball player in the world, male or female, as of the 2018–2019 season.[8]
Zhu Ting was born to a rural family inHenan Province. She has four sisters (two older sisters and two younger sisters) and her parents do not have any sports backgrounds.[9]
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.
After training professionally for two years, Zhu was selected to be on the Chinese Junior National team in 2010. She participated in2011 FIVB Volleyball Girls' U18 World Championship and won a silver medal with the team. In 2012, she entered the U20 team and won the2012 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 the2013 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.
Zhu entered the Chinese senior national volleyball team for the first time in 2013, handpicked byLang Ping who returned as head coach that year. Zhu participated in her first tournament in2013 Montreux Volley Masters. Although the Chinese team finished in sixth place, Zhu was awarded Best Scorer of the tournament.
Zhu rose to prominence at the2013 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 the2013 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 the2013 Club World Championship withGuangdong Evergrande, winning the bronze medal after defeatingVoléro Zürich.[10]
Zhu led the Chinese team to silver medal in the2014 FIVB World Championship, the best result in 16 years. She scored 32 points in the semi-final againstItaly but lost to theAmerican Team in the final. Zhu was awarded Best Scorer as well as Best Outside Spiker.[11]
At the2015 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 the2015 FIVB World Cup, the Chinese team won their 4th gold medal of the tournament and their first World Title since2004 Athens Olympics.[12] Zhu was awarded Most Valuable Player and became the third Chinese player sinceSun Jinfang andLang Ping to earn the title.[13]
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At the2016 Rio Olympics the Chinese team defeated the two-time defending champion, theBrazilian Team in 5 sets in the quarterfinal. Zhu scored 28 points.[14] In the semifinal, they defeatedthe Netherlands in 4 sets. Zhu scored 33 points,[15] thus ranked no.3 on all-time top scorers list in a single match in the Olympic games.[16] 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.[17] She was awarded MVP and Best Outside Spiker, and became the third Chinese player sinceLang Ping andFeng Kun to earn the MVP title.[18]
Zhu joined Turkish clubVakıfbank 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.[17]
At the2016 FIVB Club World Championship, Vakıfbank finished 3rd place after defeatingVoléro Zürich in the bronze medal match.[19] Zhu was awarded Best Outside Hitter.[20] She also became the first player in the tournament history to be the best scorer twice after scoring 103 points.[21]
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Zhu won the2016–17 Turkish League Best Outside Spiker and Best Scorer awards.[22] In the regular season, VakıfBank finished first with only one loss throughout. However, the team was stunned in the semifinal byGalatasaray S.K. and failed to reach the final, although they managed to finish third after defeatingEczacıbaşı VitrA.
At the2016–17 CEV Champions League, VakıfBank won all six matches in the preliminary round.[23] They defeatedVoléro Zürich in two 3–1 matches to reach the semifinal. They then defeatedEczacıbaşı VitrA 3–0 to reach the final.[24] Zhu scored 24 points. In the final VakıfBank defeated the host teamImoco Volley Conegliano to win their third title of the tournament. Zhu scored 22 points and was awarded MVP.[25]
At the2017 FIVB Club World Championship, VakıfBank remained undefeated in the group stage to reach the semifinal, where they beatEczacıbaşı VitrA 3–1 to reach the final.[26] They then defeatedRexona-Sesc Rio in straight sets to win the championship for a second time.[27] Zhu was awarded MVP and Best Outside Spiker.[28] 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).[29]
Zhu was named new captain ofChina women's national volleyball team in 2017. She helped her team to reach fourth place in the2017 FIVB World Grand Prix and was awarded Best Outside Spiker.[30] China then won gold medal in the2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup. Zhu was awarded Best Outside Spiker and MVP.[31]
In December 2017, she won theTurkish Cup with VakıfBank and was selected as Most Valuable Player.[32]
In March, VakıfBank beatGalatasary in the semifinal of2017–18 Turkish Women's Volleyball League. Zhu scored 33 points in Round 2 to help the team enter the final. In April, Vakifbank beatEczacıbaşı 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 wonVoléro Zürich in Playoff 6 of2017–18 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 clubImoco Volley and Romanian clubCSM 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 the2018 Nations League and was awarded Best Outside Spiker.
In September, she made her debut in the JakartaAsian 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 secondFIVB World Championship. She was again awarded Best Outside Spiker, her second at the Championship.
In December, Zhu played at theClub 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.
In March, Vakifbank beat Russian clubDinamo Moscow in the second round of the quarter-final of the2018–19 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 beatEczacıbaşı VitrA 3:2 again in the final of the2018–19 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 the2020 Summer Olympics. Zhu would return to Chinese League.
In September, Zhu played her secondFIVB World Cup inJapan. 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 clubTianjin Bohai Bank in the coming season.[33]
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.
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 theTokyo Olympics.[34] 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 againstinternet trolls for harassment and for "deliberately smearing" her.[35] Meanwhile, Zhu did not sign with any club in season 2021/22, as she planned to take a rest and wait for surgery.[36]
Zhu announced on herSina Weibo in April that she has successfully finished her wrist surgery and was undergoing rehabilitation.
On 2 July,Italian Serie A1 clubSavino del Bene Scandicci announced the transfer of Zhu to their club in the coming season,[37] which is her second overseas career experience.
On 3 November, Scandicci defeatedCasalmaggiore 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 sinceTokyo Olympics.[38]
On 13 April 2023, Scandicci beatCSM Volei Alba Blaj in straight sets to win their firstWomen'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.
On 8 April 2024, Zhu announced on her social media that she will return to Chinese National Team, and play at2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League.[39] Also, she entered the Chinese team roster of Paris Olympics, which was her third appearance at Olympics Games.
On 27 June,Italian Serie A1 clubImoco 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.[40]
| Club | Season(s) | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
 Guangdong Evergrande | 2012–2013 |  x1 |
| Henan Huawei | 2013–2016 | – |
 Vakıfbank Istanbul | 2016–2019 |  x8 x2 x2 |
| Tianjin Bohai Bank | 2019–2021 | x2 |
| Savino del Bene Scandicci | 2022–2024 | x1 x1 x1 |
| Imoco Volley Conegliano | 2024–2025 | x4 |
| Year | Achievement | No. of MVP received |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Team: 2012, 2013 | x2 | 2 |
| Senior Team: 2013 | x1 | – |
| 2014 | x1 | – |
| 2015 | x2 | 2 |
| 2016 |  x1 | 1 |
| 2017 | x1 | 1 |
| 2018 | x1 x2 | – |
| 2019 | x1 x1 | 1 |
| Items | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Matches played (Sets) | 431 |
| Points | 7657 |
| Attack Success % | 49.55 |
| Attack Eff % | 40.39 |
Silver Medal
Gold Medal Gold Medal Silver Medal Silver Medal Gold Medal Gold Medal – Gold medal Gold Medal
Bronze Medal Gold Medal Bronze Medal Bronze Medal Gold Medal Bronze medal, withGuangdong Evergrande Bronze medal, withVakıfBank
Runner-Up, with VakıfBank
Champion, with VakıfBank Bronze medal, with VakıfBank Champion, with VakıfBank
Champion, with VakıfBank
Champion, with VakıfBank Champion, with VakıfBank Champion, with VakıfBank Runner-Up, with VakıfBank Champion, with VakıfBank Champion, with VakıfBank Champion, withTianjin Bohai Bank Champion, withTianjin Bohai Bank Champion, withSavino del Bene Scandicci Bronze medal, with Savino del Bene Scandicci Runner-Up, with Savino del Bene Scandicci Champion, withImoco Volley Conegliano Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano Champion, with Imoco Volley ConeglianoTwenty-nine years old, born on November 29, 1994, and originally from Henan province in China, Zhu Ting is one of the greatest volleyball players in the world.
Nicknamed "Zhuper", a clever blend of "Zhu" and "Super", the Chinese outside hitter has long been regarded as one of the sport's elite.
The peak, the injury and the comeback: Zhu Ting atProsecco DOC Imoco has returned to being one of the best players in the world
Zhu Ting [...] has already proven herself as one of the most dominant and respected volleyball players of her era.
Zhu Ting is one of the best volleyball players in the world
Zhu, who has won 11 MVP titles in her career and is considered the best volleyball player in the world by the [sport's] authorities, stated that her goal is to raise her own success bar even higher by working hard.
Zhu is one of the best volleyball players in the world,Scandicci is an ambitious team in the A1 championship. Isn't that enough? Zhu is like saying "Mbappé" in football.
Born in 1994, Zhu is considered one of the strongest players in the world and has a very rich list of achievements.
The Tuscan club has signed one of the world's best spikers, the Chinese Zhu Ting.
[Zhu Ting], considered one of the best players on the planet, she was on the verge of retirement, but now she's back with renewed spirit, seeking to regain Olympic gold atParis 2024.
[chasing a second Olympic gold medal and MVP title atTokyo 2020], [...] has not stopped [Zhu Ting] from adding the task of obtaining a master's degree in history after she enrolled inBeijing Normal University in September. It is an appropriate subject for [Zhu Ting] to study considering she has spent the past decade establishing herself among the greats of volleyball history, someone that will be spoken about and studied for many years to come.
Winner of national and international trophies both with club teams and with the China national team's jersey, [Zhu Ting] is one of the strongest [female volleyball players] of all time in her role
Defending gold, however, will not be easy for China, even with Zhu Ting, the 26-year-old ace regarded as one of the best volleyball players of all time.
| Olympic Games | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Flagbearer for China (withZhao Shuai) Tokyo 2020 | Succeeded by |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of Asian Championship 2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of World Cup 2015 2019 | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Best Outside Spiker of World Cup 2019 (with  Kelsey Robinson) | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of Olympic Games 2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of CEV Champions League 2016–2017 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of FIVB Club World Championship 2017 2018 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Most Valuable Player of World Grand Champions Cup 2017 | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by First Award | Best Outside Spiker of Olympic Games 2016(with  Brankica Mihajlović) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Best Outside Spiker of FIVB Club World Championship 2016(with  Tatiana Kosheleva)2017(with  Gabriela Guimarães)2018(with Gabriela Guimarães) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Best Outside Spiker of FIVB World Grand Prix 2013(with Brankica Mihajlović)2017(with Natália Pereira) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by First Award | Best Outside Spiker of World Championship 2014(with Kimberly Hill)2018(with Miriam Sylla) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Best Outside Spiker of CEV Champions League 2017–2018(with Kimberly Hill) | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Best Outside Spiker of World Grand Champions Cup 2017 (with Jordan Larson) | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by – | Best Outside Spiker of FIVB Nations League 2018 (with Michelle Bartsch-Hackley) | Succeeded by |
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