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Text: Coco Hi Entertainment
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Chen Zhonghe's volleyball life: the transformation from sparring partner to head coach
Hello everyone, today we are going to talk about the legendary coach of the Chinese women's volleyball team - Chen Zhonghe. The name is not unfamiliar to many volleyball fans, but do you know how he rose from an obscure sparring partner to the position of head coach?
Chen Zhonghe was born in Longhai District, Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province in 1957. As a young man, he didn't start his career as a coach, but started his career as a volleyball player. In 1976, he joined the Fujian men's volleyball team, although he was not tall, but his skills were comprehensive, and he was deeply loved by his teammates and coaches.
In 1979, Chen Zhonghe was transferred to the national women's volleyball team as a sparring coach. What is a sparring coach? To put it simply, it is to imitate the opponent's style of play and help the main players train.
This role, while unremarkable, is crucial. Chen Zhonghe repeatedly watched videos, imitated movements, slammed the ball, and even practiced until his arms were not his own feelings.
Years of obscure sparring
In his sparring career for the national team, Chen Zhonghe put in a lot of sweat and hard work, but few people know his name. In 1981, the Chinese women's volleyball team won the Women's Volleyball World Cup held in Japan.
He became the first world champion among China's three major balls. Only the main players stood on the podium, and Chen Zhonghe and other sparring coaches could only cheer silently on the sidelines.
In 1986, Chen Zhonghe returned to the Fujian women's volleyball team as a coach and led the team to the third place in the National Women's Volleyball League and the championship of the 6th National Games. In 1989, he was transferred back to the national women's volleyball team again as an assistant coach, assisting successive head coaches, including Yuan Weimin, Deng Ruozeng, Li Yaoxian, Hu Jin, and Lang Ping.
In 2001, Chen Zhonghe ushered in a major turning point in his career. He was appointed head coach of the national women's volleyball team. At that time, the Chinese women's volleyball team was at a low point, and many people were not optimistic about this little-known new coach. Chen Zhonghe was not knocked down by the doubts, and he led the team to revival in his own way.
In 2002, Chen Zhonghe led the Chinese women's volleyball team to participate in the World Women's Volleyball Championship. In order to choose an opponent in the rematch, the Chinese women's volleyball team unexpectedly lost to the Greek team in the group stage, and this "handicap" behavior caused an uproar. Although the Chinese women's volleyball team only finished fourth in the end, Chen Zhonghe was not removed because of this.
"Chen Zhonghe: From Champion Coach to Tea Ceremony Lover"
In 2003, Chen Zhonghe led the Chinese women's volleyball team to win the 9th Women's Volleyball World Cup held in Japan with 11 wins, ending the 17-year championship drought of the Chinese women's volleyball team. This victory not only made Chen Zhonghe famous, but also made him a symbol of the revival of the Chinese women's volleyball team.
In 2004, Chen Zhonghe led the Chinese women's volleyball team to participate in the Athens Olympics. In the group stage, the Chinese team performed well and finally defeated the Russian team in the final to win the gold medal. This victory is not only the glory of the Chinese women's volleyball team, but also the pinnacle of Chen Zhonghe's career.
After the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Chen Zhonghe stepped down as the head coach of the national women's volleyball team and returned to a peaceful life. He likes to drink kung fu tea, especially the "Meng'er Yellow Buds" from Hunan, and he buys some every time he goes to Hunan.
Although he left the volleyball court, he still pays attention to the development of the Chinese women's volleyball team and contributes his strength to the volleyball cause on different occasions.
"From Pitch to Family: Chen Zhonghe's Second Spring"
Not so long ago, Chen Zhonghe was the head coach of the Chinese women's volleyball team, and he finally ushered in retirement at the end of his career because of years of hard work and unremitting efforts. The "court veteran" no longer sweats on the court, but returns to his hometown Nantong to share his old age with his wife Li Donghong.
Li Donghong, a former member of the Chinese women's volleyball team, is also Chen Zhonghe's closest partner. Their love story wasn't all smooth sailing.
Back in 1998, Chen Zhonghe's life encountered a huge challenge - the unfortunate death of his wife. Li Donghong's appearance brought him new hope and strength, and the two formed a deep emotional bond.
The two met as early as when Chen Zhonghe first joined the national women's volleyball team, and their relationship has become deeper and deeper over the years. Although the age gap and family situation were obstacles for a while, they eventually overcame many difficulties and entered the palace of marriage.
Looking back on Chen Zhonghe's career, his outstanding performance in the women's volleyball career is remarkable. However, his family life also experienced many ups and downs.
In 1992, his brother died in a car accident, making him the sole breadwinner of the family. Subsequently, his wife Wang Lili died unexpectedly during a business trip, which made Chen Zhonghe feel lost and bitter in his life for a while.
However, the twist of fate always ebbs and flows. Li Donghong's appearance filled the gap in his heart, she not only silently supported Chen Zhonghe in life, but also gave birth to a son for him, becoming a new hope in his life.
After retiring, Chen Zhonghe hopes to be able to accompany his family wholeheartedly. He joked that retirement was his real "second career". Sharing life with his wife every day and witnessing his daughter's growth became his greatest source of happiness. Li Donghong has always been by his side, supporting Chen Zhonghe's every decision with her firm love and tolerance.
Chen Zhonghe's retirement: From volleyball court to home chef
After retiring, Chen Zhonghe did not choose to stay in the volleyball circle, but returned to his hometown in Fujian and started his new life. For a person who is used to the intense pace of training and competition, it is not easy to suddenly be idle. But Chen soon found a new joy – cooking.
When it comes to cooking, Chen Zhonghe learned it from scratch. In the beginning, he didn't know how to chop vegetables even the most basic, and often made a mess of the kitchen. Fortunately, with the patient guidance of Li Donghong, Chen Zhonghe's cooking skills have gradually made great progress.
Now Chen Zhonghe has become the "chef" of the family. Not only can he make home-cooked dishes with all the color and flavor, but he also researches some new dishes from time to time to surprise his family. Whenever his family and friends taste the food he has made, Chen Zhonghe always has a satisfied smile on his face.
In addition to cooking, Chen Zhonghe also enjoys spending his free time with his family. He often walks and chats with his wife Li Donghong, enjoying a calm and warm life.
The two often sit on the balcony after dinner, chatting about interesting stories about Chen Zhonghe's volleyball to novel gadgets discovered by Li Donghong. Such a night is quiet and beautiful, as if time is standing still for them.
Chen Zhonghe's daughter Chen Long has also grown up and started a family. Whenever his daughter comes home to visit, Chen Zhonghe will always cook by himself, cook a sumptuous meal, and share the bits and pieces of life with his family. This simple and happy family life makes Chen Zhonghe feel extremely satisfied.
Although he left his coaching position, Chen Zhonghe's love for volleyball has never waned. He is still invited to share his volleyball experience and go to the training ground to coach young athletes. His figure is still so familiar and intimate on the volleyball court, as if he has never left.
After his retirement, Chen Zhonghe also served as deputy director of the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Overseas Chinese and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Although his work is no longer as busy as before, he still contributes to society and volleyball in his own way.