China captain Xu Yixiao is on a mission to reclaim the highest spot on the Paralympic podium in Paris. As she prepares for the largest sporting occasion of the 12 months, her focus displays the spirit of an athlete who has turned adversity into a robust supply of motivation. Underneath her management, the group is set to regain their dominance in Paralympic girls’s sitting volleyball.
Her management type is rooted in her expertise and the camaraderie she shares together with her teammates. Having competed in a number of editions of the Paralympic Video games, her group is aware of easy methods to deal with the pressures and calls for of intense competitors. She emphasizes the significance of staying calm and picked up, particularly in opposition to sturdy rivals like the USA.
“Most of my teammates have participated in earlier Paralympic Video games and have wealthy expertise and a collaborative spirit. Particularly within the face of previous opponents akin to the USA, feelings naturally run excessive. As a captain, I remind everybody to maintain calm and targeted. I set myself for example, handle the stress of the sport, and preserve optimum efficiency,” Xu defined.
The preparations for Paris 2024 have considerably bolstered the group’s confidence. “NPC China locations nice significance on the upcoming Paris Paralympic Video games. Since final 12 months, the groups have began energetic and organised coaching preparations. The coaching bases, group leaders, and coaches have additionally developed thorough coaching plans.
“Because the captain, my position is twofold – first, to guide by instance in finishing the coach’s coaching plan, and second, to function a bridge of communication between teammates and coaches. This includes promptly figuring out issues, reporting them, and resolving them. The entire group works collectively to face the challenges of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games in the absolute best state.” she famous.
Xu highlighted the significance of steady enchancment as a mirrored image of their previous achievements.
“Since girls’s sitting volleyball was formally included within the sport programme of the Athens 2004 Paralympic Video games, increasingly more international locations world wide have participated, and the extent of competitors has elevated considerably. Every version has grow to be extra fiercely aggressive than the final,” she stated.
“When it comes to experiences and classes discovered, now we have an previous saying in sports activities, ‘When you step of the rostrum, all the pieces begins from scratch.’
“Achievements can solely signify the previous and don’t decide the longer term. Ranging from scratch requires each braveness and knowledge. We should preserve that love for sitting volleyball that we had once we first participated within the Paralympic Video games, the need for victory and the willpower to work onerous. That is how we are able to proceed to enhance and sustain with the occasions.”
Xu believes the Chinese language group’s strengths lie of their sturdy coaching system and complete assist. “The sturdy athlete coaching system, the excessive consideration of the entire society, and the all-round assist for preparation are our benefits. Nonetheless, we nonetheless have to additional strengthen our adaptation to the up to date worldwide guidelines and the introduction of technological innovation,” she said.
Going through difficult opponents in Pool A, Xu stresses the significance of taking every sport significantly. “We take each opponent and each sport significantly. Whether or not we’re in an excellent or unhealthy scenario, staying targeted is essential. Within the Paralympic video games, no victory is taken without any consideration. Onerous work is essentially the most admirable high quality, and surpassing oneself is the final word achievement.”
Xu’s private expertise with sitting volleyball has been life-changing. “Due to my harm, I felt down for a very long time. Sitting volleyball confirmed me that my incapacity wasn’t an impediment to pursuing my sports activities desires however a brand new start line. Everybody can discover a appropriate technique to train. My teammates and I take advantage of our efforts to encourage others, together with these with disabilities who’ve by no means thought of taking part in sports activities, to allow them to know that bodily limitations aren’t the top of life however a place to begin to discover new prospects and passions. This start line may very well be sports activities or anything. The trail is made by strolling it; so long as you’re taking a courageous step ahead, you’ll be one step nearer to your purpose,” she concluded.
