Winner in life and love, sitting volleyball veteran hopes to grab Games gold

On a court 10 meters long by six meters wide, players sit with their legs extended in front of them and their arms outstretched.

As their eyes closely follow the ball's trajectory, they strive to employ their arms, torsos and legs to pass, set and spike the volleyball over the net, all while ensuring that their pelvis maintains contact with the floor. The pelvis may briefly lift off the ground only when attempting to save particularly challenging and imminent points from being scored.

This demanding process involves the athletes sliding or propelling themselves across the floor using their hands and arms, showcasing impressive upper body strength and agility.

This is the scene at the sitting volleyball, which kicked off at the Linping Sports Centre Gymnasium at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

In the first sitting volleyball women's roundrobin match, China emerged victorious against Thailand.

For Chinese sitting volleyball player Zhao Meiling, 36, this process has become even more challenging, as she gave birth to a bouncing baby girl at the beginning of this year. The new mother has undergone a most strenuous post-pregnancy training journey.

"For sitting volleyball players, calloused hands and bruised hips are part of the routine," she said.

"I rotate through seven or eight pairs of pants, and they need replacing every two months."

However, she doesn't consider it a hardship, as she explained, "After exercising, there's a release of emotions, and I feel very confident."

Zhao never considered giving up, knowing that, at the games, she carries not only her own dreams, but also those of her husband.

Her husband, Ding Xiaochao, was once a sitting volleyball player himself. However, in order to take care of their newborn daughter and support his wife to fully focus on preparing for the 4th Asian Para Games, Ding chose to forgo his own chance to compete and became a practice partner to China's sitting volleyball team.

Ding frequently participates in practice matches with Zhao on the training court. Despite their usual loving relationship, there is no quarter asked or given when they are on the court.

"In a competitive setting, it's essential to push ourselves, and in this situation, I definitely won't go easy on her," the husband remarked.

"I haven't held back either; sparring with him fuels my competitive spirit even more," the wife chimed in.

The couple, close in age and with similar passion for the same sport, fell in love in 2005 when they were just 18 years old.

Ding hails from Shanghai and has a leg disability due to childhood polio. Zhao is from Liaoning province and had her right leg amputated following a car accident. However, both of them have cheerful personalities, which drew them to each other.

"We hit it off right from the start. After every training session, we would message each other and chat online," recalled Ding.

They got married in 2009.

"Prior to taking up sitting volleyball, I had a fair amount of self-doubt. But since I started to play the sport, I've noticed an improvement in my self-confidence," said Ding.

"What's more, meeting my wife has made me feel like I'm thriving in both my career and my love life."

While preparing for the Asian Para Games, Zhao couldn't leave the camp due to the closed training. During her breaks, Ding often brought their child for a visit, allowing his wife to spend time with their daughter and letting the baby touch and play with the volleyball.

"My husband temporarily set aside his own dreams and goals for me. I am truly grateful to him," said Zhao.

Zhao won Paralympic silver medals with Team China in both Tokyo in 2021 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"I hope she can achieve excellent results in this Asian Para Games and win the championship," said her husband.