Player profile: Yuan Yue

The Hague, Netherlands, April 14, 2015 - Yuan Yue and partner Fan Wang are one of two teams who will represent China at this summer's FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships The Netherlands 2015. We speak to Yue ahead of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Fuzhou Open, which takes place from April 21-26, and as the pair prepares for the climax of this year's international beach volleyball season.

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Name: Yuan Yue
Date of birth: July 23, 1987
Hometown: Weifang, China
Height: 1.84m
Position: Defender
Partner: Wang Fan

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When did you start playing beach volleyball?
Yuan Yue: "I started to play beach volleyball in 2002. Before that, I played indoor volleyball."

Why did you set your eyes on a professional beach volleyball career?
Yuan Yue: "Beach volleyball showed me a new individual dimension of the sport. It gave me a chance to show what I’m capable of. Beach volleyball asks for a higher personal commitment - when you face a challenge in a match, you and your team partner have to solve it. Beach volleyball helped me to discover myself."

Is there a player that you have been inspired by?
Yuan Yue: "Many beach volleyball players - my mentor Miao Zhi Hong and opponents have brought me much of what I know today. Both in tough matches and daily life, they have taught me how to face problems. I think that I’ve learned from all the beach volleyball players I’ve encountered during competitions."

What are your objectives for The Netherlands 2015?
Yuan Yue: "This will be my second shot at the World Championships, but it will be the first for my young partner. Of course we are expecting good results, but our main objective is to use the tournament to develop automatisms and increase our mutual understanding.’

With a bit less than 80 days to go until the start of the World Championships, what does your preparation consist of?
Yuan Yue: ‘We are just back from an awesome training session in the United States. Our game got better every day with high-intensity training and daily matches against other high-level teams. We did everything to be in shape for the World Championships!"

How do you cooperate with the other Chinese teams?
Yuan Yue: "We are very close. Unlike many other countries, as Chinese players we form a national team together. We always train and travel with the whole group."

The World Championships will be played at four unique venues. What is the most special location you have ever played at?
Yuan Yue: "I have special memories of last year’s Shanghai Grand Slam. At this venue, I won my first Grand Slam medal. Posting a good result somewhere always leaves you with an exceptional feeling for a place!"

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