Kazakhstan and China share a common vision of achieving greatness at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. For Kazakhstan, it’s about making a memorable return to the Paralympics and showcasing their honed talent against the best teams. And for China, it’s about continuing their legacy of excellence by adding another gold medal to their illustrious women’s sitting volleyball history.
These two squads earned their Paris 2024 spots through the ParaVolley Asia Oceania Zone Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan, where the hosts earned their ticket by being the highest-ranked team not yet qualified, since Iran won the men’s event but had already qualified as the world champions. China, on the other hand, claimed the spot as the winners of the tournament.
Kazakhstan as a Rising Force
Kazakhstan is on an inspiring journey as they prepare for their second appearance at the Paralympic Games, a remarkable feat 28 years in the making since their debut in 1996. Their qualification came after a strong performance in the zone championship, where they reached the final and played against powerhouse Iran.
Despite losing to the reigning Paralympic champions in the final, they secured their place in Paris and have since lived up to their reputation as one of the strongest men’s teams in Asia. Following this qualification, they showed their fighting form by finishing with a silver medal at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou in 2023.
Their path to Paris is highlighted by their determination to excel on the international stage. The team, led by coach Bauyrzhan Takhauov, has shown great potential and resilience in many tournaments. Their roster features a blend of seasoned athletes and younger talents who have been instrumental in their journey. They have developed into one of the strongest programmes in the zone and on the global stage through their significant efforts to facilitate exchange programmes with the best national teams and increase their participation in international tournaments. At Paris 2024, they are ready to make a significant impact.
China as Powerhouse Pioneers
China are no strangers to success on the Paralympic stage. Having won three gold medals in the first three editions and two silver medals in the last two at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, they enter Paris 2024 as one of the top contenders for the title. Their qualification came because of their dominant performance at the zone championship, where they clinched the title again.
Their impressive track record is backed by a roster filled with seasoned Paralympians, including formidable attackers Zhang Lijun and Tang Xuemei, and their captain Xu Yixiao, whose leadership and versatility have brought them many titles. Under the guidance of coach Xu Huimin, the team has been fine-tuning their strategies and building on their strengths to ensure peak performance in Paris.
Their recent strong performances leading up to Paris 2024 include their 2023 WPV Sitting Volleyball World Cup win in the final against World No. 1 Canada in Cairo and a second-place finish behind reigning Paralympic champions USA at the 2024 WPV Women’s Super 6 in Nancy, France. Despite finishing with silver in the last two Paralympic Games, China’s well-established stature in women’s sitting volleyball positions them well to reclaim their glory and return to the top of the podium.
