CHANGZHOU, China, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Former captain of the Chinese volleyball team, Hui Ruoqi announced her retirement here on Saturday, after her home team Jiangsu made it to the semifinals of the Chinese Women's Volleyball League.

The 26-year-old Hui thus put an end to her 18-year professional career, with the pinnacle of winning the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in August, 2016.

After the Rio Games, Hui also guided her provincial team of Jiangsu to the top of the National Games in last September.

Since then, Hui was seldom seen on the court and missed the whole season of the China Volleyball League due to health consideration.

In 2010, the former captain had an operation on her left shoulder leaving seven steel nails inside, and underwent a pair of heart surgeries in the following years.

Away from the court, Hui has established a foundation to her name, focusing on the development of women volleyball.

"I will focus on the development foundation in 2018 and try to solve some social problems by sports activities," Hui said.