(LI WEN)

Yu Juemin on September 15 was appointed head coach of the Chinese women's volleyball team.

Yu's appointment followed his predecessor Wang Baoquan's resignation citing health reasons on September 2. The 50-year-old becomes the third head coach in the past 18 months, and his contract will run until the end of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Yu started his volleyball career when he was 15 years old in 1975 and was on the Chinese team that finished eighth at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. He started his coaching career in 1989. In 2001, he was appointed an assistant coach of the men's national team.

Yu transferred to the national women's squad in 2005. His assistance helped Chen Zhonghe lead the team to a bronze medal finish at the Beijing Olympic Games. After Chen's departure, he continued his role as assistant coach to head coaches Cai Bin and Wang Baoquan.