Nationality China Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | Name Ding Hui Role Volleyball | |
 | ||
Ding Hui (Chinese: 丁慧; pinyin: Dīng Huì) is a biracial Chinese volleyball player currently playing for Warner University in Florida. Ding was 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 Jianan, was irritated by the number of calls he received inquiring Ding's family background. Zhou dismissed most of these calls, saying that he "fits the requirements established by the Chinese Volleyball Association" and that Ding's background is a "private matter." He was said to be preparing for the 2012 London Olympics.
In his personal life, Ding is very popular among his teammates. He is a little shy but soon would become the favorite of everyone. "He's also a great singer and dancer and he brings more passion to the game than the other players," said Wang Hebing, the head coach of Zhejiang Volleyball team.
In 2012, Ding left Zhejiang men's volleyball team and went to study abroad before the new season started because "there's no future of this sport in China."
Ding began playing volleyball for Warner University in 2014.