2016 was indeed her year and 2017 plus the years to come look bright for China’s Volleywood superstar Zhu Ting.
The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has been announcing its standout athletes of 2016 and a number of volleyball players are listed by the media organisation. In the Asian section, Chinese outside hitter Zhu Ting is prominent after a spectacular 2016. After helping China win the FIVB World Cup in 2015, Zhu and her teammates went one better in 2016 by clinching the gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games.
Not only that, but Zhu was named the Most Valuable Player of the Games and the Best Outside Spiker, an award she also claimed when her club, Vakifbank Istanbul took third place in the FIVB Club World Championship.
Another prominent Olympian, Maja Ognjenovic, was named one of Serbia’s top athletes. Serbia’s setter and captain led her team to a brilliant runners-up finish behind China in the Olympics, but she was able to take gold with her club Eczacibasi Istanbul in the FIVB Club World Championship.
Puerto Rico’s Aury Cruz was among those nominated for the Americas after she helped her country reach the Olympic Games for the first time. Other nominees from the Americas included beach volleyball player Sergio Gonzalez and indoor player Daymara Lescay from Cuba; Paraguayan beach volleyball player Michelle Valiente; and indoor volleyball player Sandrina Hunsel of Suriname.
Congrats!!!