Volleyball is more than a game

Wei Qiuyue, one of the women's volleyball team. [Photo/China Daily]

When my self-confidence was shaken, she took my hand, telling me that I had what it takes to stand on the Olympic podium," said Wei.

In Times Square, the two embraced amid loud applause.

Lang, who has been coaching the team since 2013, said she did not expect the team to perform so well at the beginning, and that the journey to win the gold medal in Rio was one of the toughest she had faced.

The final was between China and Serbia, and they both fight hard in each set of the match which last one hour and 37 minutes. China started slow, by losing the opening set at 19-25, but the Chinese girls made a comeback to take the next three sets at 25-17, 25-22, 25-23.

Looking very relaxed, the star coach said that the person she wanted to thank the most was her elder sister Lang Hong.

"Long training has always been an essential part of my life, so I can rarely stay at home.

So, the family relies on my sister to take care of things.

I am very grateful to my sister and brother-in-law," Lang Ping said.

"If it was not for my sister, I would not be able to work for women's volleyball in China, not to mention leading the Chinese women's volleyball team to the top of the world."