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World’s highest-paid volleyball player Zhu Ting gives up millions to return to China for 2020 Olympics preparation

  • The 24-year-old is earning €1.5 million a year at her Istanbul club
  • Zhu will join a Chinese team next season to prepare for Tokyo 2020 Games after helping VakıfBank defend their title

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Zhu Ting is returning to China in the build-up to the 2020 Olympic Games. Photo: Handout

Chinese volleyball superstar Zhu Ting will leave her club VakıfBank Istanbul – and the big money she is earning in Turkey – to return to China to prepare for the Olympic Games next year.

Zhu, who helped VakıfBank defend their league championship last weekend, said she would end her three-year career in Turkey, according to Xinhua news agency.

The 24-year-old spiker, who led China to a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games, is the world’s highest-paid volleyball player after joining the Turkish club after the last Olympics.

She is earning 1.5 million (US$1.68 million) a year after making over 1 million in each of her first two years with VakıfBank.

Zhu Ting (back row, middle) celebrates after help her club win back-to-back league championships. Photo: Sina Sports
Zhu Ting (back row, middle) celebrates after help her club win back-to-back league championships. Photo: Sina Sports

Zhu told Xinhua she has enjoyed three good seasons in her first foray overseas in her professional career with the comprehensive support of VakıfBank.

Kin-wa joined the Post after working for the Hong Kong Sports Development Board and the government for more than a decade. Previously, he was at the Standard for six years. Kin-wa has covered the Olympic Games twice, and three Asian Games as Post reporter.
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