GOLDEN GIRLS' GIFT OF GLORY

Much-loved women's squad dedicates latest World Cup triumph to nation's 70th anniversary celebrations

Incredible, invincible, inspirational, immense... whatever adjective you choose to describe China's volleyball heroes, there can be no denying the special place they inhabit in the nation's heart.

On Saturday, the country's latest batch of wonder women retained their FIVB World Cup crown with a game to spare following a victory over Serbia in Osaka, Japan. On Sunday, Lang Ping's squad capped its all-conquering campaign by routing Argentina in straight sets to complete a sensational 11-match clean sweep of the round-robin tournament.