CHINA’S legendary volleyball player and coach Lang Ping announced yesterday that she had stepped down as head coach of China’s national women’s volleyball team. The China Volleyball Association (CVA) also confirmed that Lang’s contract expired Tuesday. “Today is my first day after leaving the post of head coach of China women’s volleyball team. I’ve finished my tasks,” Lang wrote on social media. “I’m now in Suzhou to visit the grave of my mother, who passed away last year, and sweep her tomb,” Lang added. Known as the “Iron Hammer” during her playing career, Lang took over the Chinese women’s team for the second time in 2013. Under Lang’s guidance, China won Olympic gold in Rio 2016, as well as 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles. But China failed to progress through the group stage at last month’s 2020 Olympic Games after losing against Turkey, the United States and Russia. Lang took the blame after the crushing defeat, saying she was not able to find a solution and lead the team through troubles. “All the difficulties and suffering are worthwhile as I love volleyball. Looking back at all these years of my career, I feel extremely fulfilled and happy,” Lang wrote. “I want to tell my mother, from my own perspective, it’s really a pity that I didn’t achieve much at Tokyo 2020. But now it’s time for me to say farewell to my career,” Lang wrote. “I feel fulfilled and happy when I look back on my volleyball career. I am grateful for all the support I have received from people who love volleyball.” Lang didn’t say what her next step would be but said she would spend more time with her family. The Tianjin-born “Iron Hammer” helped the Chinese team in winning two Women’s World Cups, one World Championship, and an Olympic Games gold medal as a player before becoming a widely celebrated coach.(SD-Xinhua) | 