Kelly Cheng is an outspoken Christian whose faith serves as a central pillar of both her personal life and her professional beach volleyball career. She frequently uses her platform to share her journey, explicitly stating that her primary motivation on the sand is to glorify God with the gifts He has given her.
Key Aspects of Kelly Cheng's Faith
On-Court Prayer and Partnership: Cheng prioritizes finding partners who share her values. She established a tradition of praying before matches with her former partner Sara Hughes, and when she announced her partnership with Megan Kraft, she explicitly noted that they share a deep commitment to their faith.
Overcoming Adversity and Anxiety: During the Tokyo Olympics, Cheng faced immense pressure, anxiety, and harsh online criticism. She credits her faith with helping her stay grounded and shifting her self-worth away from athletic performance and onto her identity in Christ.
Personal Upbringing and Testimony: Though raised in a Christian home, Cheng has shared that her faith became deeply personal during her sophomore year at USC, a period when she struggled and realized she couldn't navigate life completely on her own.
Public Expression: Her dedication is highly visible in her daily life; her personal social media profiles prominently feature the phrase "Saved by grace." She has also openly shared spiritual discipline goals with her followers, such as reading the entire Bible in a single year.
