China's beach volleyball stars, Xue Chen and Xia Xinyi, are back and better than ever! 🌟 After a rocky start to the year, the dynamic duo is setting their sights on the Paris 2024 Olympics. 🇫🇷🏐
Earlier this year, Xue and Xia faced a tough exit at the Doha Elite 16 in Qatar. The setback was a bitter pill to swallow, leaving them wondering about their form compared to their European rivals. \"We were just wondering why European players were in such great form?\" Xue mused. \"Unlike them, we were still trying to build our form, so the loss made us feel that something wasn't right.\"
But champions don't stay down for long! 💪 Just three weeks later, they bounced back in spectacular fashion by clinching the title at the Saquarema Challenge in Brazil on March 31. 🏆 \"We had some ups and downs at the beginning of this year,\" Xia shared. \"We failed to advance from the group stage at the first Elite competition. We were very upset at that time.\"
The key to their comeback? Intense training and a refusal to give up. \"We forced ourselves to go for the best with every play,\" Xue said. \"We kept telling ourselves to do this like real matches. Then we won the title in Saquarema.\"
Both athletes have been making waves since their teens. 🌊 Xue, at just 17, became the youngest player to win a FIVB World Tour stop in Shanghai back in 2006. Not to be outdone, Xia broke that record at 16 when they teamed up to win in Phuket, Thailand, in 2013. Talk about girl power! 💥
Despite not qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics and facing challenges at the Tokyo 2021 Games, Xue and Xia are more determined than ever. Now reunited, they're gearing up to make a splash in Paris. \"It's our goal to stand on the podium in Paris,\" Xue revealed. \"But I don't want to rush it.\"
\"We want to play every match well and do it better every day,\" Xia concluded. With their eyes on the prize and hearts full of passion, this duo is one to watch! 👀✨
Reference(s):
Xue Chen, Xia Xinyi bounce back ahead of 2024 Summer Olympics
cgtn.com
