On October 9th, the Italian volleyball club Conegliano announced that Chinese player Zhu Ting officially joined the team on a two-season contract. This announcement was made on the club’s social media channels.
Conegliano is recognized as a powerhouse in the Italian women’s volleyball league, with the team having secured multiple titles, including the Italian Super Cup, the Italian Cup, the Italian League, and the UEFA Champions League during the 2023-24 season.
In a press conference, Zhu Ting expressed her excitement about joining the team, stating, “This team has won many championships, and there are many strong athletes joining as well. I hope to learn more here and experience a different team atmosphere.”
Notably, Zhu Ting is the first Chinese player in Conegliano’s history. She will wear the number 4 jersey, a number she started with when she first debuted with the Henan women’s volleyball team in 2014.
Time flies; over the past decade, Zhu Ting has evolved from a promising young player into a world-class athlete, gaining international experience by playing overseas. In 2016, she signed with the Turkish team VakifBank, where she had an impressive three-season stint. During her time with the prestigious club, Zhu garnered eight championships, earning her the moniker “ZHUper” from foreign media.
From 2022 to 2024, Zhu represented another Italian club, Scandicci, where she played a crucial role in helping the team secure its first-ever UEFA Cup championship.
After the last season, Zhu returned to China to prepare for the Paris Olympics with the national team while also completing her postgraduate studies at Beijing Normal University, where she graduated successfully.
Following the Olympics, Zhu Ting took a short break but revealed that she’s in good shape now. She plans to undergo a week of individualized training before joining her teammates for practice.
In December, the 2024 FIVB Club World Championship will be held in China, a tournament that Zhu is particularly looking forward to. She stated her commitment to strive for success with her team during this event.
Next month, Zhu Ting will celebrate her 30th birthday. Reflecting on her career over the past few years, she has faced challenges such as Olympic disappointments and injuries. However, she stands renewed and ready for a new chapter as she enters her thirties.
Even from overseas, Zhu Ting remains connected to the Chinese national team, saying, “If I still have the ability, health, and the national team needs me in the future, I hope to represent my country again.”
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