Tianjin, August 5: Chinese volleyball sensation Li Yingying announced on Wednesday that she will not participate in the upcoming AVC Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship and the Asian Games due to heart surgery.
The spiker shared her situation on social media, stating, “I had to undergo surgery due to heart-related issues. The operation was successful, and I have been discharged from the hospital to recover at home. After thorough examinations, I will not be able to compete in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship or the Asian Games.”
She expressed her disappointment, saying, “I am very upset, but health always comes first. Moving forward, I will focus on rehabilitation and gradually regain my fitness. I wish the national team success in the competitions. I look forward to returning to the court once I am fully recovered.”
According to a report by Xinhua, Yingying has struggled with injuries in recent years, which led her to temporarily forgo opportunities to play abroad last year. The 26-year-old had been training with the national team since early April but has not participated in any matches since then.
The AVC Women’s Volleyball Continental Championship is set to begin on August 21 in Tianjin, with the winner earning a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A draw held on Tuesday divided 12 teams into three pools. Pool A includes teams from Chinese Taipei, Iran, and Iraq. Pool B features Thailand alongside Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Australia, while Pool C sees Japan competing against Vietnam, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
After a single round-robin group stage, the top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
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