Ding Hui

Who is Ding Hui?

Ding Hui is a biracial Chinese volleyball player of South African descent who plays libero for Zhejiang volleyball club and the China men's national volleyball team. He is notable as the first black athlete to be selected for a Chinese national sports team.

Ding's appearance as a black player is unique in that he is the first Chinese national, with black African ancestry, representing a Chinese national team and his selection to the team garnered widespread media attention, with some commentators saying he 'redefined race in China.' The coach of the national team, Zhou Jian'an, was irritated by the number of calls he received inquiring Ding's family background. Zhou dismissed most of these calls, saying that he "fit requirements established by the Chinese Volleyball Association" and that Ding's background is a "private matter." He is said to be preparing for the 2012 London Olympics.