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Stephy Zhang

The Chinese Volleyball Association has announced its squad for the coming Asian Games, but two-time Olympian outside hitter Li Yingying has been ruled out of both the Games and the preceding Asian championship after undergoing heart surgery.
Ahead of the official release, Li had revealed on social media that medical evaluations confirmed she would be unable to compete in either tournament.
“Due to a heart condition, I needed surgery. The procedure was very successful, and I have been discharged to recover at home,” she wrote on social media alongside a video slide show.
A 17-second photo montage documented the 26-year-old’s resilient spirit in hospital, including photos with visiting teammates Gong Xiangyu, the team captain, and Wang Mengjie.
“My heart is full of regret, but health is always the foundation of everything,” she wrote.

“Next, I will focus on post-surgery rehabilitation and adjust my condition step by step. I wish the national team great success and strong performances in the coming tournaments, and I look forward to returning to the familiar court once I am fully recovered.”
Li, who first joined the national team in 2018, is one of China’s top outside hitters. Playing for Tianjin Bohai Bank Volleyball Club, she has led her club to seven Chinese Volleyball Super League titles as well as silver and bronze medals at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship.
Named to China’s 12-player roster for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she stepped in off the bench during the group stage to replace the injured Zhu Ting.
At the Paris Olympics, she led the team to three straight wins in the group stage. Although China lost 3-2 to Turkey in the quarter-finals, Li scored a team-high 25 points.
This is not her first recent setback with injury. During last year’s Super League, she suffered a severe right ankle injury involving ligament damage and a misaligned bone in her foot, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation.
She briefly went to the Italian league but returned to China as she had not fully recovered. Although she was named to China’s 30-player pool in May, head coach Zhao Yong confirmed Li was still undergoing rehabilitation and had not rejoined the squad, causing her to miss this season’s Women’s Volleyball Nations League.

Five outside hitters were selected: Wu Mengjie, Zhuang Yushan, Tang Xin, Li Chenxuan and Dong Yuhan.
Although she lacks Li’s core offensive firepower, the returning Wu, who has improved significantly in both attack and serve reception following international exposure, is widely expected to shoulder the primary offensive load on the outside.
Middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan leads her position alongside Chen Houyu, Wang Aoqian, Jin Jiabao and Guo Zhongnan.
As the core of the central block, Wang provides stable blocking and quick attacks, anchoring the net defence, while the four younger middle blockers possess impressive physical attributes but lack international experience.
Diao Linyu, Zhang Zixuan and Xie Shengyu were the named setters, with Diao bringing extensive tournament experience and a versatile distribution tempo.

Gong Xiangyu will lead the team from opposite hitter, joined by Yang Shuming and Zhou Yetong. Gong remains a complete player on both offence and defence, tested across numerous major international competitions.
At libero, veteran Wang Mengjie, the highly mobile Ni Feifan and domestic league stand-out Zhu Xingchen will compete for the final tournament spots.
The 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship will take place in Tianjin from August 21 to 30, with the winner securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. China has been drawn in a group with Chinese Taipei, Iran and Iraq.
Following that, the Asian Games women’s volleyball tournament will run from September 16 to 22 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where China is placed in Group B alongside Kazakhstan and the Philippines.


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Volleyball

Li Yingying in action for China against Turkey at the 2024 Volleyball Nations League event in Hong Kong. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

A photo montage showed Li visited in hospital by Gong Xiangyu and Wang Mengjie. Photo: Li Yingying/Weibo

Li Yingying described the surgery as “very successful” but her “heart is full of regret”. Photo: Handout

Wu Mengjie (top) replaces Li Yingying at outside hitter, along with four others. Photo: Xinhua

China break with tradition with unveiling of blue official podium uniforms for Asian Games

China's new victory ceremony uniforms, worn by divers (from left) Chen Jia, Chen Yiwen and Wang Zongyuan, feature a blue palette and linear star patterns. Photo: Facebook/CGTN Sports Centre

Table tennis stars Wang Chuqin (left) and Wang Manyu (third from left) were among the athletes at the ceremony. Photo: Screenshot

Badminton player Wang Yilyu (left) and table tennis’ Chen Meng in the new blazers and trousers. Photo: Handout

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Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka-long takes a moment during a men’s team foil contest against Hungary at the Kerry Fencing World Championships. Photo: Elson Li

Head coach Greg Koenig (left) comforts Ryan Choi after the Hongkonger lost the decisive bout to Italy’s Guillaume Bianchi in the men’s foil team final. Photo: Elson Li

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The outside hitter is still undergoing rehabilitation, says coach Zhao Yong, whose squad will be captained by Gong Xiangyu


The outside hitter is still undergoing rehabilitation, says coach Zhao Yong, whose squad will be captained by Gong Xiangyu.


Asian Games 2026

Volleyball Olympian Li Yingying to miss Asian Games, continental meet after heart surgery

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The outside hitter is still undergoing rehabilitation, says coach Zhao Yong, whose squad will be captained by Gong Xiangyu

The outside hitter is still undergoing rehabilitation, says coach Zhao Yong, whose squad will be captained by Gong Xiangyu