Despite being at the grand old age of 33, Wang Hebing is still the best setter in China. Chinese head coach De Anhe has tried several younger setters since he took the helm of the national team in 2001, only to find that Wang is indispensable.

Standing at 191cms, Wang is an aggressive setter, just like his female counterpart Kun Feng. Not only can he deliver accurate balls for teammates, but he also executes unexpected kills by himself. His excellent jump service made him even more dangerous to opponents.

Wang Hebing joined the Chinese national team for the first time in 1995 and he helped China win the title at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998 and the Asian Championship the year after. He withdrew from the Asian Championship in 2001 due to a leg injury before being appointed as head coach of the Zhejiang Liqun club.

When the Chinese national squad gathered again in 2003, Di recalled Wang, which brought immediate results with China finishing runners-up to South Korea at the Asian Championship in Tianjin, China in September.

Wang has always been dreaming of playing in the Olympics and the Athens Olympics may be his last chance.

“I have never competed at the Olympics,” he said. “I will try my best to help China clinch the berth to the Athens Olympics. I don’t want to be sorry for the rest of my life.”