Chinese · Tianjin, China · Born 6 November 1995Chinese volleyball outside hitter who won Olympic gold in 2016 and helped China claim FIVB World Championship titles in 2015 and 2019.
Zhang Changning joined China's national volleyball team as a teenager and became a cornerstone of the squad's attacking framework during the country's most successful period in the sport in decades. Standing 1.95 metres, she grew up in Tianjin and entered China's systematic volleyball development program on the pathway that would eventually make her one of the sport's top outside hitters. Her breakthrough came during China's golden period under head coach Lang Ping in the mid-to-late 2010s. She was instrumental in China's triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where her powerful spikes and tactical versatility helped secure the nation's third Olympic volleyball gold medal. Her performances at the 2015 and 2019 FIVB World Championships contributed to both titles, with the FIVB recognizing her excellence through multiple Best Outside Spiker awards. What distinguished Zhang was her remarkable consistency across major tournaments and her ability to adapt her game to different tactical systems. Her attacking combined precision with power, while her defensive contributions and court awareness made her valuable in all rotations — the focal point of China's offensive strategy during their most successful competitive cycle in decades. Her performances helped establish a new generation of Chinese players on the world stage and revitalized domestic interest in the sport. Her technical discipline and mental fortitude under pressure became hallmarks of contemporary Chinese volleyball philosophy. As one of the most decorated outside hitters of her generation, her career represents what China's systematic athletic development at its best can produce.
Leading China to Olympic gold at Rio 2016 as one of the youngest players on the team
How They Played
Powerful outside hitter known for aggressive attacking and strong presence at the net
Lasting Impact
Key player in China's volleyball renaissance, contributing to multiple major international titles
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 2016
- FIVB World Championship 2015, 2019
- FIVB Best Outside Spiker awards
Chinese Athletes