Li Yingying misses AVC Championship, Asian Games after heart surgery
Synopsis
China's top volleyball spiker Li Yingying has revealed she underwent heart surgery and will miss both the AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship and the Asian Games — a major blow with an Olympic qualifying berth on the line at the Tianjin tournament opening 21 August.
Key Takeaways
Li Yingying , 26 , confirmed on 5 August that she underwent heart surgery and is recovering at home.
She will miss the AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship (opens 21 August in Tianjin ) and the Asian Games .
The AVC Championship winner earns a direct spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics .
China is placed in Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei , Iran , and Iraq .
Li had been training with the national team since early April but had not featured in any matches.
Chinese volleyball star Li Yingying confirmed on Wednesday, 5 August that she has undergone heart surgery and will not feature in the upcoming AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship or the Asian Games. The 26-year-old spiker disclosed the news on her social media, saying the operation was a success and that she is now recovering at home.
Li Yingying's Statement
'I had to undergo surgery due to cardiac issues. The operation was a success, and I have now been discharged from the hospital to recover at home. Following a comprehensive assessment, I will not take part in the AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship or the Asian Games,' Li wrote on her social media.
'I feel deeply disappointed, yet health will always come first. Moving forward, I will focus on the rehabilitation and gradually get back into shape. I wish the national team every success in the competitions. I look forward to returning to the court once I make a full recovery,' she added.
A Difficult Run of Injuries
Li's absence is the latest in a series of health setbacks. The spiker has been managing injuries in recent years, which reportedly forced her to forgo an overseas playing opportunity last year. She had been training with the Chinese national team since early April but did not appear in any subsequent matches — a signal, in hindsight, that her condition was being closely monitored.
What Is at Stake at the AVC Championship
The AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship is scheduled to open on 21 August in Tianjin, with the tournament winner earning a direct berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The stakes could not be higher for the competing nations, making Li's absence a significant blow to China's campaign.
China has been placed in Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, Iran, and Iraq for the 2026 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship, the draw for which was held in Tianjin on Tuesday. The 12-team tournament has been divided into three pools: Thailand, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Australia make up Pool B, while Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China are grouped in Pool C.
Tournament Format and Path to Quarterfinals
Following a single round-robin group stage, the top two teams from each pool and the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals. China will be expected to progress from Pool A despite Li's absence, though her firepower as a spiker will be difficult to replace at short notice.
Li has not indicated a timeline for her return to competitive volleyball, but expressed confidence in making a full recovery. All eyes will now be on how China's selectors reshape their lineup ahead of the 21 August opener.
Point of View
A conversation the global sports community has only recently begun to take seriously. China's volleyball programme now faces a genuine selection challenge at the worst possible moment, with an Olympic qualifying berth directly tied to the Tianjin tournament. What is notable is that Li trained with the squad for months without featuring in a single match, suggesting team management was already managing her condition quietly. The question for Chinese volleyball is not just whether they can win without her, but whether the system that kept her on the training roster while she was clearly unwell served her interests or the programme's.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Li Yingying missing the AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship?
Li Yingying is missing the tournament because she underwent heart surgery due to cardiac issues. She confirmed on 5 August that, following a medical assessment, she will not participate in either the AVC Championship or the Asian Games.
When and where is the AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship being held?
The AVC Women's Volleyball Continental Championship opens on 21 August 2025 in Tianjin, China. The 12-team tournament is divided into three pools, with the winner earning a berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Which pool is China placed in for the AVC Championship?
China is in Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, Iran, and Iraq. Pool B features Thailand, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Australia, while Pool C has Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Hong Kong, China.
How does the AVC Championship tournament format work?
Teams play a single round-robin group stage. The top two finishers from each pool, plus the two best third-placed teams across all pools, advance to the quarterfinals.
Has Li Yingying faced injury problems before this surgery?
Yes. Li Yingying has dealt with a series of injuries in recent years, which reportedly led her to give up an overseas playing opportunity last year. She had been training with the Chinese national team since early April 2025 but did not appear in any competitive matches before her surgery was confirmed.
