After 20 years of dreaming, the women’s volleyball “little emperor” waved goodbye to Zhang Lei and made a wish before retiringFly into the homes of ordinary people
Zhang Lei officially retired, Xinmin Evening News reporter Li Mingshen took the same photo
“There is no permanent banquet in the world. Thank you for everything. Please remember Zhang Lei, No. 8 of the Shanghai team, the little emperor who has been dreaming for 20 years…” It was finally time to say goodbye, a few words on Weibo, it was the Shanghai women’s volleyball team. In response to Zhang Lei’s farewell to his 20-year volleyball career.
At the Shaanxi National Games that ended last month, Zhang Lei appeared as the main player and as the veteran of the Five Dynasties, this running-type response left the “unold legend” for the Chinese women’s volleyball team. Because of love, I persisted. Zhang Lei said in an interview: “Although I have never won a league championship during my time in the Shanghai Women’s Volleyball Team, I cherish this process of unremitting pursuit of the championship.”
Role model for young players
More than a week has passed since his retirement was announced on the evening of October 8. Twenty years of daily work and rest were suddenly disrupted. The training hall, dormitory, two o’clock and one line days are gone forever, but Zhang Lei still maintains the habit of fitness exercises in the basement of his home. “I will still miss the Oriental Arkphysical educationThe Dianshan Lake in the training base. “Zhang Lei said with emotion,” I used to run there at night, even if I was alone, it was very comfortable. ”
Zhang Lei smashes in the training match
Before October 8, Zhang Lei was the oldest active player in the domestic women’s volleyball arena, and was also the only player in the group of countries in the London Olympic cycle who was still active in volleyball. About five or six years ago, after each league, someone always asked Zhang Lei, “Can I see you on the court next year?” “Although I am older, I don’t have serious injuries that could affect my volleyball career. , So I can stick to it till now.” Zhang Lei is famous for his self-discipline.
Training yourself is an indispensable course after training every day. The metabolism is slow, coupled with the fact that the height is not high and the style of play is running, so it is necessary to maintain a strong physical fitness. Zhang Lei upholds the training volume that has doubled compared to when he was young. In the physical fitness test before the national championship last year, she ranked among the best in many items nationwide, and her bench press reached 85 kilograms, which made young players sigh.
From wearing the Shanghai women’s volleyball jersey in 2001, winning the third place in the 2011 Women’s Volleyball World Cup, until finishing fourth in the 14th National Games, Zhang Lei has tasted the joy of victory in these 20 years, and has also endured the bitterness of defeat. The only regret is that she has never reached the top of the league championship with the Shanghai women’s volleyball team, but in fact, in recent years, the Shanghai women’s volleyball team has been able to reach the top three in every session, which is already a good report card.
Zhang Lei saves
It is precisely because of the desire for the championship that Zhang Lei is even more motivated not to give up. She said: “I can persist until now because I really love volleyball.” Although Zhang Lei has been a substitute for the Shanghai women’s volleyball team in recent years. She has always maintained a champion’s heart. “If I had won the league title a long time ago, I might have retired. Although I have regrets now, I think this journey is more meaningful and I am more willing to contribute to the road to the championship.”
All-round fighter of women’s volleyball team
Zhang Lei, born on January 11, 1985, was a late bloomer. It was not until the third year of high school that he was recruited into the Shanghai Youth Women’s Volleyball Team, and was promoted to the first team in less than a year. Although he is only 1.82 meters tall, Zhang Lei has excellent jumping ability, with a spike height of 3.16 meters and a block height of 3.08 meters. Under the meticulous creation of the then head coach Zhang Liming, Zhang Lei experienced a transition from a main offense to a secondary offense, and eventually became a running responder. Players like Zhang Lei who can adapt well to the new position are really rare, and she is also affectionately called the “all-round fighter” by her teammates.
Zhang Lei (No. 8) celebrates scoring with his teammates
When he first entered the Shanghai team, it coincided with the team’s relegation. As a young player, Zhang Lei led the team to complete the transition from new to old and helped the Shanghai women’s volleyball team return to the top of the league. Gradually, her running ability matched the characteristics and was picked up by the national team. Ten years of sharpening a sword, 2011 became a highlight in Zhang Lei’s sports career. As the main support, she followed the Chinese women’s volleyball team in the Women’s Volleyball World Cup held in Japan. At this time, the Chinese women’s volleyball team was in a trough, and the outside world was not optimistic about it before the World Cup. However, with the joint efforts of Zhang Lei and other teammates, the Chinese women’s volleyball team finally reached the podium as the third runner-up and achieved the first time to enter the London Olympics. The goal of the coupon. Zhang Lei ranked third in the smash list with 104 spiking points and 44.07% field goal percentage. She also ranked first in the scoring list and the first pass list. Her outstanding performance on both offense and defense has left a deep impression on people. “I am the oldest of those countries, but my qualifications in the national team are the least.” Zhang Lei recalled that after the London Olympics, his teammates retired one after another, and only Zhang Lei persisted until now. Wang Yimei contacted Zhang Lei for the first time and joked, “Welcome to join the retired club, you have to adjust your status quickly.”
“Lei Huang” in the hearts of fans
In fact, Zhang Lei, who is in good condition, originally wanted to continue his volleyball career. But in the face of the new season of the league, she still made the decision to retire, giving her position to young people, hoping that the Shanghai women’s volleyball team will have more opportunities for new players to take over her class.
At the 2017-2018 season finals, Zhang Lei took a group photo with the young players
On the farewell night, the “children” in the team reluctantly came to Zhang Lei one after another. Zhang Lei comforted them, “I will see you often in the future, I will not leave the volleyball arena.” Now, the team has brought in Wang Yindi, who has performed well in the youth arena of the National Games. Zhang Lei was very pleased to hear that, “I I hope that the Shanghai women’s volleyball team will get better and better, and I will always pay attention to the next league.”
Where is the next stop? Zhang Lei is still planning. I heard that it is difficult to apply for further studies on campus at the age of 36. She feels that she should still be active in her home bank, “it must be a job related to volleyball.”
After Zhou Suhong, Zhang Lei is the only running player in the country. Although the women’s volleyball team is moving towards a taller figure, a player like Zhang Lei can also help the team through flexible running. She hopes that this style of play can be passed on. Go down.
Zhang Lei (front row center) will continue to pay attention to the Shanghai Women’s Volleyball Team
Competitive sports speaks by strength, and the alternation of old and new is an unchanging law, but Zhang Lei’s ability to be active in volleyball for 20 years proves that his ambition is still there, old and strong, irreplaceable. This persistence and tenacity is a model for young players to learn.
In the farewell message on Weibo, Zhang Lei was to thank the fans who loved her. She called herself “Little Emperor”, which was the nickname given to her by the fans. NBA has James “Zhan Huang”, and Zhang Lei is the “Lei Huang” of Chinese women’s volleyball team. (Xinmin Evening News reporter Tao Xingying)
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