South Education Times · Focus | Interview with Zhang Ping: From a National Volleyball Player to a Teacher in CUHK-Shenzhen

Origin title: “Athlete Teacher Zhang Ping: From a National Volleyball Player to a Teacher”

With a high ponytail, light make-up and sportswear, Zhang Ping looks quite different from the one fighting on the court----with less combativeness and more bookishness. In 2016, Zhang was invited to the Sports Festival in CUHK(SZ), and gave a lecture. This was the original link between Zhang and the university, after that she became a volleyball teacher here to share her sport experiences and knowledge, introducing this fascinating sports to our Younger generation of students.

Interacting with students

Golden player in the Athens Olympics

We still remember the day when The Chinese team won the champion in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Women’s Volleyball Competition. The team did not have a strong performance in FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix (WGP) before, and Zhang Ping suffered from a knee injury during the Olympic schedule. China having lost a key player to injury in the first pool match against the United States, the coach let Zhang TAKE that position. “I thought this is a chance to get back what we had lost to the American team”, said Zhang.

Zhang fought hard with her teammates to the final, in which they encountered Russia, a strong competitor. With a fierce attack from the rival, China lost the first two sets, being on the edge. “Everyone was hopeless at that time”, Zhang said. In the third set, we set ourselves free, tried our utmost to grabbed[sic] it back. In the fourth set, the decider, we fell behind several times, but turned the tide with resilience. “We found our rival’s face turned pale.” And China sped up.

Finally, China pulled off a miraculous comeback from two sets down to beat Russia 3-2 winning three sets consecutively, and claiming the ultimate prize – the gold medal – in the stunning final at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. “This is a well-deserved victory for Chinese women volleyball team to back to the top of the Olympic after 20 years. We were so excited!” Zhang was in a high mood when talking about this tournament.

As a strong spiker, Zhang did a great job in this battle with 25 points --- a real top scorer. In the Hong Kong FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix (WGP) this year, Zhang met 2004 Russia women volleyball head coach Nikolay Karpol, she joked: “Do you remember who I am?” “Of course!” said Karpol. “Maybe it is really hard to forget me in his life time.” Zhang laughed.

Golden player in the Athens Olympics 

 Colorful life Out of the Court

In 2008, Zhang retired because of injury. “Being an athlete, there are two lonely periods: when you join a team and when you leave it.” When she just retired, she lost direction. After the struggle, she decided to enrich herself with knowledge---go to college.

In 2009, Zhang enrolled in the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, CUHK, starting a new life as a student. In the first school day, Zhang was shocked as she could not understand anything in the three hours course and she could only finish the assignments with assistance from classmates. With the spirit of the Chinese volleyball team in her blood, she pushed herself to stick to studying and to go even further to receive a Master’s degree.

Besides the academic work, Zhang also crossed over to performing. In 2013, Zhang was casted as a robber in Blind Detective, which was directed by Johnny To, starring Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng. On the film set, Zhang discovered the real life of the super stars. “I really admire these actors and actresses, you could only know how hard it is behind the glamorous surface when you were in that role”

Teaching in PE class

This short but unforgettable experience reminded Zhang that we should try different things in our life. After the activity in CUHK(SZ) in 2016, Zhang accepted the invitation to be a teacher here. For Zhang, shouldering this responsibility is a way for her to extend her volleyball life and to repay society. As Zhang had a strong support from her university when she was admitted to there. “They have every reason to decline my application, but they did not and I really appreciate that”, said Zhang. The university led me to where I am now, and it is time to extend my gratitude like this.

Zhang Ping teaches volleyball now. Many students who know her story, would ask for a group photo or send friend requests to Zhang through WeChat. She had gotten used to this and has formed close ties with students, making the most from the interactions with students and building teamwork spirit among them.