Ningbo, China, August 28, 2010 – International referee Liu Jiang of China is looking forward to the FIVB Women’s World Championships in Japan where he will take charge for the first time in the prestigious Volleyball event.

"I am honored to be nominated,” said Liu, also Dean of the sports department at the Southwest Jiaotong University of China. “I will get well prepared physically and mentally, so that I can perform to my best level at the World Championships.”

As one of the best referees in China, Liu also had the honor to blow the very first whistle for the Beijing Olympic Games at the Capital Stadium two years ago, which is an unforgettable memory for him.

"It’s really special to take charge of an Olympic Games on home soil. Just months before the opening of Beijing Olympics, my hometown was hit by the Wenchuan earthquake, which made it even more memorable,” said the 41-year-old, who was born in the Sichuan province.

With enormous passion for the sport of Volleyball, Liu has devoted about 80% of his time to the work related to refereeing. He has accumulated abundant experience through high-level international competitions including the Women’s World Cup in Japan in 2007, the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, the World Grand Champions Cup in Japan in 2009. Back in China, he took charge for most of the final matches of major national tournaments in the last five to six years and received the award of “Best Referee of China” from 2005-2009.

"I have learnt a lot from the experience as a referee, including the ability of communication and coordination,” said Liu, who is one of six referee instructors of the China Volleyball Association (CVA). “There are always something to learn and I will never stop learning.”

Liu has always been a quick learner and one of his hobbies is to learn English and watch English movies. In spare time, Liu also likes playing Go, a traditional board game originated in China and popular in Asia, with friends.

"It is of great joy to meet friends, have some tea and play Go games.”

The biggest ambition of Liu is to take charge till 55, the age of retirement for international referees.