Do you know the “Iron Hammer (铁榔头) ”? She is not a hero from a film like Iron Man. But she will be a great star in volleyball history. Chinese people are all 1 of her. Her real name is Lang Ping.
Before the 1980s, most people didn't 2 that Chinese people were tall and fast enough to play volleyball. But at the 1981 World Cup in Japan, the Chinese women's volleyball team 3 the world by winning the game. 4 , the team got two World Cups, two world championships and a gold medal 5 the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles! On September 29 , 2019, China 6 the Women's Volleyball World Cup trophy (奖杯) from Japan. The team didn't lose any of 7 games during the tournament (锦标赛) . “The trophy is the 8 gift to celebrate the 70th birthday of China.” People's Daily said in an article.
Their success did not come easily. 9 on the team trained very hard, especially Lang. For example, the World Cup was 10 in several different cities and the team didn't have much 11 to train. The girls have to squeeze (挤出) in training time when they could. Never giving up, especially during difficult times, is 12 part of the team's fighting spirit. Many of the team's members 13 playing even after being injured.
Back to the 1980s, China was not as 14 as it is today. But the team's success made them famous around the world. She was like a hero to Chinese sports fans. She gave everyone more 15 .
Lang has retired last year. Now she no longer coaches the Chinese women's volleyball team. Her team is preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Let's cheer for the “Iron Hammer”!