In the 2022 Men's Volleyball Asian Cup final, the Chinese team defeated the Japanese team 3-0.
10 years later, the Chinese team once again climbed to the top of Asia and received numerous praises for a while.
The Asian Cup will be played in Thailand.
Before the award ceremony, when the camera turned to the stands, many spectators waved support lights and cheering banners. The protagonists above were almost without exception, Zhang Jingyin.
Fans like to call him "Little Sun" affectionately.
In this Asian Cup, Zhang Jingyin won the MVP (Most Valuable Player) and the Best Main Attack Award.
When he was under the age of 23, he took over the trophy symbolizing honor, and the Thai Nakhon Pathom stadium burst into applause, and the cries of "MVP Zhang Jingyin" were heard endlessly.
When the applause gradually calmed down, and during the interview, Zhang Jingyin's smile in the camera was very healing.
Many people have remembered Zhang Jingyin's name through the Asian Cup of Men's Volleyball, and it is more appropriate to describe him as "young and promising".
How do you view the fans' love?
What is your character in life?
With these curiosity, Sino-Singapore Sports and "Little Sun" Zhang Jingyin chatted a lot...
Image source: TEAM CHINA Weibo
'This is no longer four years ago'
[This is Zhang Jingyin's first time participating in the Asian Cup.
Playing as the main force, facing unknowns and challenges, he interprets the responsibility of a young player.
]
China-Singapore Sports: What is the special significance of winning the MVP and the best main attack award? This is your first championship since you entered the senior season. How did you feel at that time?
Zhang Jingyin: I am very happy to receive these honors, which include the help of the coaching staff and teammates, and also represent the affirmation of the competition organizing committee.
It will motivate me to do my best in training in the future to prepare for the World Championships in the best possible condition.
The championship brings together the efforts of everyone in the team, and we need such a victory to boost our confidence.
After the World Men's Volleyball League, the team went to Serbia for training, and then went to Thailand to participate in the Asian Cup.
Due to the busy schedule, our physical fitness was not at its best at first, and the team didn't play its due level until the semi-finals and finals.
The picture shows Zhang Jingyin celebrating a score in the World Men's Volleyball League.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Media
Sino-Singapore Sports: Through the two events this summer, many fans got to know you, and the outside world praised you as the core of the future Chinese men's volleyball team. How do you feel about this?
Zhang Jingyin: Thank you very much for your support.
Before the World Men's Volleyball League set off, the team's Changjiang River was injured, and the team lacked an offensive firepower.
The head coach needs me to play another offensive core, adjust the state to lead the team to overcome difficulties when the team is in a difficult situation.
In the future training and competitions, I will try my best to do my best.
China-Singapore Sports: The last time you participated in the World Men's Volleyball League was in 2018. How do you feel about competing again after 4 years?
Zhang Jingyin: 2018 was my first time participating in the World Men's Volleyball League. At that time, I played as a substitute player, more with a learning attitude.
When the coach replaced me, I was nervous.
After a lapse of four years, after honing in various competitions, the self-regulation ability has been greatly improved, and the technical choices such as offense and serving are no longer single.
This is no longer four years ago, and I have greater responsibilities and challenges.
Sino-Singapore Sports: You are loved by many local fans in this Asian Cup. What do you think of this?
Zhang Jingyin: After winning the championship, we took a group photo with the fans.
I felt the warm atmosphere of the game in the local area, and I am very grateful for the encouragement and support of the fans. I will continue to work hard with this encouragement.
The growth of its own popularity is also the driving force for continuous self-improvement and self-challenge in the future.
Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers
[During the trough of his career, Zhang Jingyin always told himself: don't give up, keep a positive and optimistic attitude.
In his view, no matter which direction you are working towards, it is an upward trend.
"Difficulties in the trough are to accumulate strength. As long as you work hard, there will always be good harvests."]
China-Singapore Sports: When did you start contacting volleyball? Do your parents support your career path?
Zhang Jingyin: I came into contact with the volleyball training class when I was nine years old. I taught at school during the day and went to practice after school at night.
It was my choice at the time, and my parents were very supportive of me.
When I was in elementary and middle school, I would do physical training every Sunday afternoon, which was one of the things I was more afraid of.
At that time, there were 400-meter sprint and leapfrog training, and everyone would compete to see their progress in a period of time.
Image source: Zhang Jingyin Weibo
Sino-Singapore Sports: Your outstanding performance in the league makes you selected for the national team. In the 2018 World Men's Volleyball League in Ufa, Russia, you won the team scoring champion many times. Did you think of your outstanding performance at that time?
Zhang Jingyin: I did not expect it.
At that time, it was more about cherishing the opportunity to play. The coach trusted me very much.
When I first came to the national team, with the temperament of "newborn calves are not afraid of tigers", no matter what difficulties encountered, there would always be a confident and positive attitude.
Zhongxin Sports: You missed the 2018 Men's Volleyball World Championships and all the national team games in the Tokyo cycle after that due to a back injury. Was that a dark time in your career? How do you adjust your mentality?
Zhang Jingyin: That period was a low point in my life, because I had never experienced a major injury before, and I didn’t have much confidence in the long recovery process.
During the recovery period, I did special treatment for injuries in the morning to relax my waist muscles.
In the afternoon, go to the strength room for other body parts training.
No matter what action you do, there will always be an injury involved, but you also need to get used to the pain and make it better slowly.
"I love listening to Jay Chou's songs"
[Talking about the strength that has been supporting him along the way, Zhang Jingyin's answer is very simple and firm: it must be two words, love.
]
China-Singapore Sports: Fans like to call you "little sun". Can you describe its history? What do people in the team call you?
Zhang Jingyin: The nickname "Little Sun" was given to me by the translation of the national team in 2018, and it was slowly called.
I was in the early stage of my injury, and he commented that my mentality was very sunny. When I encountered difficulties, he would give himself hope, hoping to be as dazzling as the sun, and to transmit positive energy to others.
Now the team prefers to call me "Cannon", which is related to the attacking style on the field. This nickname came from my youth team.
I like both names.
The picture shows Zhang Jingyin spiking in the World Men's Volleyball League.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Media
Zhongxin Sports: What kind of character do you have in your life? What are your favorite things to do outside of competition? What method will you choose to relieve stress?
Zhang Jingyin: I belong to a person who is cold on the outside and hot on the inside.
It may be "cold" with strangers, and very warm with people you know.
I am optimistic and positive when it comes to dealing with people, and I like to maintain a good attitude.
I like to listen to songs when I'm resting, and I like Jay Chou's songs the most.
I also watch new TV shows or movies and play games with my teammates.
Under pressure, I like to go for a run or bike ride and get myself sweaty.
China-Singapore Sports: You are from Xuzhou, Jiangsu, how often do you go home now? Are the fans' expectations of you putting pressure on you? What do you want to say to them?
Zhang Jingyin: Because there are many competitions at home and abroad every year, I can only go home once a year.
My parents usually follow my game and encourage me before the game.
After I won the Asian Cup, I got my phone and saw the congratulatory message my parents sent me. I am very grateful to them for supporting me on this path.
I want to thank all the fans for their support and I will turn everyone's expectations into motivation to keep going.
Volleyball knows no borders. I hope more and more people understand and like volleyball.
The picture shows Zhang Jingyin attacking in the World Men's Volleyball League.
Image credit: Osports All Sports Media
In the future, I will try my best to play every ball well
China-Singapore Sports: After becoming the core player in the team, the opponent will increase their research on you. How would you adjust yourself? What are your goals and expectations for the future?
Zhang Jingyin: I will enrich all kinds of offensive methods, so that I can give the opponent offensive pressure on the block.
By watching the video, the opponent often chases after my pass, I will communicate with my teammates in time, and everyone will share it.
For the future, I hope that I can accumulate a lot, continue to move forward with a positive and confident attitude, and do my best to play every ball.
China-Singapore Sports: What kind of collective do you think the Chinese men's volleyball team is?
Zhang Jingyin: We are a positive team, and we must carry forward the spirit of collectivism.
Because each of us is working hard for the final goal, I believe we will break through in the face of adversity and never give up.
At any moment, he will keep his mission in mind.
Author: Liu Xingchen