(In 1983, Song Xiaobo, the former captain of China women’s basketball, accepted the third trophy Bronze Ball Award)
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 1 (reporter Su Bin, Yue Dongxing) the Chinese team won the runner-up in the women’s basketball World Cup in 2022 on the 1st, and the best result in the history of the event was tied. Song Xiaobo, the former captain of China women’s basketball, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that she was proud of the performance of the Chinese team in this World Cup. The team should seize the opportunity and be down-to-earth, continue to advance towards the goal of hitting the world champion.
Song Xiaobo once won the third place in the women’s basketball world championships in 1983 (the predecessor of the women’s basketball World Cup) and the bronze medal in the 1984 Olympic Games on behalf of the Chinese team. Speaking of her intuitive feelings about the performance of China’s women’s basketball in this World Cup, she used a word-pride.
“I know they have done a lot behind them.” Song Xiaobo said that basketball is a confrontation project and needs to have good physical quality to fight against high-level opponents. In this World Cup, Women’s Basketball of China, whose physical quality is not dominant, finally returned to the podium of the World competition through hard work and scientific training.
“Kung Fu does not bear the painstaking efforts. If there is no daily accumulation, we would not have such a high level and good results.” Song Xiaobo said, “through so many years of accumulation, losing and winning, and then summing up the experience and lessons, it is an inevitable result today. We really build this team with our heart.”
In Song Xiaobo’s view, China’s women’s basketball did not withstand the critical moments of some key competitions before, which was a performance of physical decline. With the progress made in physical fitness in recent years, the team’s defensive antagonism has been significantly improved.
Song Xiaobo used “running clouds and flowing water” to summarize the performance of China’s women’s basketball on the offensive side of this competition. “When people arrive at the ball and the ball arrives at the person, as long as the opportunity comes out, the ball can reach, the performance of women’s basketball this time made me refreshing. I have always said that Chinese players should play with their brains. If we really use our brains and wisdom, we will definitely be able to stand on the podium of the World Series.”
In the semi-finals and finals, Li Meng, the main scorer of China’s women’s basketball, was absent due to illness, but the team still played impressive team basketball.
“Depending on the team to play, instead of just one or two points, this is the most troublesome thing for the opponent. I don’t know which point to control you. The opponent is under pressure to defend.” Song Xiaobo said.
Song Xiaobo said that in recent years, Chinese women’s basketball have made great efforts in training young players, giving them opportunities to experience in the competition and accumulating experience. “Losing is not terrible. What is terrible is not to learn lessons, not to summarize, not to make changes. We are now seeing changes in China’s women’s basketball, indicating that past failures have not been paid for nothing, and without those lessons and accumulation, they may not achieve the current effect.”
Song Xiaobo was delighted with China’s progress in handling women’s basketball shots. “in the past, we may make continuous mistakes after our mistakes. At the critical moment, if you make mistakes continuously, the competition will be over. Now when there is a mistake, the team members are not in chaos, nor are they complaining with each other, or (insist) beating their own things, which is a leap in psychology. The preparations before the game must be done very well. I know what to do in this situation and how to play at the critical moment.”
In Song Xiaobo’s view, China will continue to work in the direction of hitting the world champion women’s basketball, but it still needs to be down-to-earth. “At least we know where the direction is and what kind of basketball we should play to become the world’s top team. During this period, there will definitely be new young athletes joining in, and the characteristics of groups of athletes will also be different. We still have to seize this opportunity. Opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared. As long as we insist, there is a possibility of rushing to the top.”
“The US women’s basketball is really strong and the league level is relatively high. To be honest, we still have a certain gap. But we rely on collective strength to be ourselves, and there will certainly be hope in the future.” Song Xiaobo said.
(Xinhua News Agency)