The 2026 WPV (World ParaVolley) Sitting Volleyball World Championships were held in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province from July 10 to 17, marking the first time the event was hosted in China. The China Sitting Volleyball Women's Team claimed the bronze medal, and secured their place at the LA28 Paralympic Games. 

Sitting volleyball is a sport designed specifically for athletes with physical impairments. Its court dimensions and net height are roughly half those of standing volleyball. On the court, players propel themselves using their hands, hips and legs.

Players must remain seated throughout the match, with their hips in contact with the floor when they touch the ball. Constant friction against the floor means a pair of pants may last little more than a week. 

The seated position limits players' mobility, making the serve far more threatening. It can even produce an ace. To maintain the balance between offense and defense, sitting volleyball allows players to block serves, setting it apart from standing volleyball. The seated position also limits players' vision at the net. They rely on positioning and experience to read the game, a skill built through years of training.

Speed, precision and power are the hallmarks of sitting volleyball. Like standing volleyball, each team has up to three touches to return the ball without letting it touch the ground. Quick movement is key to keeping the ball in play. That agility comes from years of hard training, which leave players with calluses on their hands and legs.

The championships brought together 364 athletes from 22 countries. For many participants, it was also their first visit to China. Although the tournament came to an end, their journey of discovery in China is just beginning.