Why Did Hughes And Cheng Break Up? How Did Hughes And Cheng Reunite For Their Olympic Push?
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Updated Jul 29, 2024
Why Did Hughes And Cheng Break Up?
Hughes and Cheng split up after college because their partnership wasn't working out (Source: nbc). After dominating together at USC, the transition to professional life brought challenges. Handling the logistics of traveling and managing equipment became difficult, and they needed to mature and learn what it meant to be professionals.
They both needed to "grow up" and figure out how to balance their personal and professional lives. This period was a learning experience for both of them, and their partnership was strained by the demands and responsibilities that came with being professional athletes.
A few years later, they reconnected and decided to team up again. They are now successful and preparing for the Olympics, having refined their skills and approach to the game.
How Did Hughes And Cheng Reunite For Their Olympic Push?
Hughes and Cheng reunited for their Olympic push when Cheng reached out to Hughes in late 2022. They met up for coffee to discuss the possibility of teaming up again. Cheng believed that reuniting was their best chance for success in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Once they decided to work together, they quickly hit it off and began winning tournaments. Their renewed partnership led them to become the first American team to win the World Championships in 14 years. Now, they’re heading into the Olympics with strong chemistry and a solid track record.
What Was The Result Of Hughes And Cheng's Olympic Efforts In Tokyo 2020?
In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Hughes and Cheng, who were then partners with other players, did not perform as well as hoped.
Cheng and her partner, Sarah Sponcil, made it to the Round of 16 but did not advance further. Hughes and her partner, Summer Ross, did not qualify for the Games due to Ross's injury.
Who is Sarah Hughes?
Sarah Hughes is an American beach volleyball player born on February 14, 1995, in Long Beach, California. She is known for her impressive career achievements, including winning multiple medals in international competitions and leading her college team to national championships.
Hughes began her beach volleyball career at a young age and has been noted for her speed and defensive skills on the court. She initially gained fame for her successful partnership with Kelly Cheng, with whom she won numerous titles and awards.
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| Full name | Sara Elizabeth Hughes |
| National team | United States |
| Born | February 14, 1995 |
| Age | 29 Years |
| Birthplace | Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in |
Sarah Hughes Career
Sara Hughes began her beach volleyball career as a standout at USC, where she and her partner Kelly Claes won back-to-back NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships in 2016 and 2017. They dominated college beach volleyball with a remarkable 147–4 win record.
Hughes also excelled as an amateur, achieving notable successes including a 17th place at the Manhattan Beach Open and a gold medal at the NORCECA tournament.
Turning professional in 2017, Hughes initially continued her partnership with Claes, winning the Chicago Championships and becoming the youngest team to win an AVP event. After teaming up with Summer Ross in 2018, Hughes won multiple AVP tournaments and the Moscow Open, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 9.
Who is Kelly Cheng?
Kelly Cheng is an American beach volleyball player born on September 18, 1995. She has achieved a lot in her sport, including winning a bronze medal at the 2013 U19 World Championships and a silver medal at the 2014 U21 World Championships with her partner Sara Hughes.
Cheng also won the gold medal at the 2023 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships and helped her college team win back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017. She is known for her strong performance and skill on the beach volleyball court.
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| Birth Name | Kelly Marie Claes |
| Full Name | Kelly Marie Cheng |
| National Team | United States |
| Born | September 18, 1995 |
| Age | 28 Years |
| Birthplace | Fullerton, California, United States |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in |
Kelly Cheng Husband
Kelly Cheng's husband is Jordan Cheng. He was a college volleyball player at Chapman University and later became a volleyball coach. Jordan graduated with a master's degree in Coaching & Athletic Administration and has coached at several universities, including Concordia University and the University of California, Irvine.
Jordan and Kelly first met during beach volleyball tours and got married in 2022. Since their marriage, Jordan has been coaching Kelly in her beach volleyball career.
Under his coaching, Kelly Cheng and her partner Sara Hughes have achieved significant success, including winning the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championships and competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kelly Cheng Career
Kelly Cheng started playing volleyball at USC in 2014. She initially played with Alexa Strange but later teamed up with Sara Hughes. Together, they won the AVCA Pairs National Championship and led USC to NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017. Cheng was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2016 and graduated in 2017 with a degree in sociology.
After college, Cheng won her first AVP Gold Series Championship in 2017 with Sara Hughes. They became the youngest team to win an AVP event. In 2018, Cheng partnered with Sarah Sponcil, winning silver at the 2019 FIVB event in The Hague and qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where they earned gold medals in Sochi and Ostrava.
