(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Shan Linqian: From Benchwarmer to Key Player in China’s U21 Volleyball Title Defense
Shan Linqian is making her presence felt on the world stage. The 19-year-old middle blocker has gone from watching from the sidelines to being a driving force in China’s campaign at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship.
Standing at 1.94 meters, Shan is the only returning player from China’s 2023 championship-winning squad. Back then, she was a rookie, learning from experienced teammates as China stormed to the title in Mexico. Today, she’s in the starting lineup, blocking attacks, calling plays, and taking on a leadership role as China aims to defend its crown.
“In the previous championship, I just watched the team and learned from the older players,” Shan shared. “This time, I feel a little pressure because I want to do my best to help the team win.”
China’s current squad is younger and still adapting to the demands of high-level international play, but Shan’s experience has been a crucial link between past champions and the new generation. So far, the team has started the tournament strongly, winning all five of its opening matches to lead their pool.
Off the court, Shan enjoys photography and traveling, capturing the beauty of China through her camera lens. She draws inspiration from volleyball stars like Yan Ni, China’s Olympic gold medalist, and Zehra Gunes, Turkey’s dynamic middle blocker.
From a teenage reserve to a starter with championship ambitions, Shan is ready to create her own legacy. As she puts it: “My goal is to win my own championship.”
