# Capítulo 8: Jugadores y leyendas

Voleibol · Capítulo 8: Jugadores y leyendas · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/es/volleyball/interesting-facts/chapter-8-players-legends/)

The people behind the legends: Katsutoshi Nekoda, Flo Hyman, Cecilia Tait, Gabriela Pérez del Solar, the Grbić brothers, Taismary Agüero, Fernanda Venturini, Lorenzo Bernardi, Vyacheslav Zaytsev and Hugo Conte.

## 8.81 A Setter From Hiroshima

Katsutoshi Nekoda: three Olympic medals, a broken leg before Munich and the ceiling serve.

### Test 1: Katsutoshi Nekoda

- He was born about 18 months before the atomic bomb fell on the city. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- Bronze in 1964, silver in 1968 and gold in 1972. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- He had his coach bring a ball to the hospital and practised from a wheelchair. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- He hit it high towards the lights, so it was hard to judge where it would land. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- His touch became the heart of Japan's fast attack. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- Japan's men finished fourth in Montreal. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- They lost only three sets in the whole tournament. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- 1944, about 1958, 1972 and 1983. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))
- Nekoda broke a leg before Munich and still won gold. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Katsutoshi Nekoda (volleyhall.org))

## 8.82 Flo Hyman

The tall Californian who captained the US women to their first Olympic medal.

### Test 1: Flo Hyman

- She had discovered volleyball at high school in Inglewood, California. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- The full-time US women's programme was just beginning. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- She went on to captain the team in 1984. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- She was the outstanding hitter of her generation in the USA. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- She died in Matsue City, Japan. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- It affects the body's connective tissue and the heart. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- She was in the first class to include players. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- 1975, 1981, 1984 and 1988. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- Four world events in six years. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))
- Hyman captained the US to its first Olympic women's medal. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Flo Hyman (volleyhall.org))

## 8.83 Peru's Golden Lefty

Cecilia Tait: from a shantytown street to Olympic silver and the Peruvian Congress.

### Test 1: Cecilia Tait

- It means 'the Golden Lefty'. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- She was discovered at 14 in a school tournament. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- Peru finished second at home. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- She captained Peru to silver in Seoul. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- She formally retired in 1998. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- She was re-elected in 2001 for a five-year term. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- She was also honoured for her work with girls in Lima. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- About 1976, 1982, 1988 and 2000. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- 1982, 1984, 1988 and 2003. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))
- Cecilia Tait was 'La Zurda de Oro'. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Cecilia Tait (volleyhall.org))

## 8.84 From Court to Congress

Gabriela Pérez del Solar: a 17-year-old Olympian, a five-set final and a seat in Congress.

### Test 1: Gabriela Pérez del Solar

- Peru finished fourth at the Los Angeles Olympics that year. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- Ica lies south of Lima. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- In those days the fifth set had no fixed end at 15 if the scores were close. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- She was a multi-talented middle blocker. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- Peru finished fifth at both. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- She won three Italian Cups there. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- She entered Congress with the Unidad Nacional party. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1993. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- Silver, bronze, fourth and sixth. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))
- Gabriela Pérez del Solar was the Seoul tournament's Best Receiver. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Gabriela Perez del Solar (volleyhall.org))

## 8.85 Brothers in the Hall

Nikola and Vladimir Grbić: the first brothers both in the Hall of Fame.

### Test 1: the Grbić brothers

- Vladimir went in in 2011 and Nikola in 2016. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- He was named best setter at many championships. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- Yugoslav teams could not compete internationally. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Serbia. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- Yugoslavia beat Russia in the final. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- He played for eight different Italian clubs. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- Serbia beat Brazil in the final. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- 1996, 2000, 2004 y 2008. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- 1991, 2000, 2015 and 2016. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))
- The Grbić brothers won gold in Sydney with Yugoslavia. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Nikola Grbic (volleyhall.org))

## 8.86 Two Flags

Taismary Agüero: Olympic golds for Cuba, then European titles for Italy.

### Test 1: Taismary Agüero

- She won with Cuba and then with Italy. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- She returned to her Italian club in Perugia. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- She came back to the club after leaving Cuba. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- She joined Italy's national team the next summer. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- She had entered a Havana training centre at ten. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- She was MVP of the 2007 European Championship. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- 1996, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2007. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- 1998, 1999 and 2007. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))
- Taismary Agüero won Olympic golds with Cuba and European titles with Italy. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Taismary Aguero (volleyhall.org))

## 8.87 A Setter's Story

Fernanda Venturini: volleyball for her spine, four Olympics and twelve Superliga titles.

### Test 1: Fernanda Venturini

- Playing helped correct the curve of her spine. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- She switched to setter after the 1988 Games. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- She was the only Brazilian on that list. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- She came back after retiring to win titles in Spain too. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- Seoul, Barcelona, Atlanta (bronze) and Athens. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- It was Brazil's first Grand Prix title. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- Her career for Brazil began in 1984. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2004. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- About 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1994. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))
- Venturini began playing to help correct scoliosis. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Fernanda Venturini (volleyhall.org))

## 8.88 Italy's Player of the Century

Lorenzo Bernardi: from setter to hitter, 306 caps and a shared FIVB award with Karch Kiraly.

### Test 1: Lorenzo Bernardi

- Kiraly and Bernardi shared it. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- He grew into one of the most complete players of his time. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- He won nine Italian league titles in his career. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- He played three Olympic Games. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- It was Italy's first Olympic gold-medal match. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- He played for Olympiakos Piraeus in 2005-06. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- His coaching career began in Poland. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- 1988, 1992 and 1996. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- 1984, 1985, 1990 and 2005. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))
- The FIVB named Bernardi and Kiraly together in 2001. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Lorenzo Bernardi (volleyhall.org))

## 8.89 A Setter Who Blocked

Vyacheslav Zaytsev: Soviet captain, Olympic champion and a pioneer abroad.

### Test 1: Vyacheslav Zaytsev

- He died in Saint Petersburg, the same city, in 2023. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- He was one of the best blocking setters in the game. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- He took silver in 1976 and 1988. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- The first came in 1971. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- He had made his club debut at 17. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- Savin entered the Hall of Fame in 2010. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- He had been best defensive player at the 1977 World Cup. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- 1976, 1980 and 1988. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- 1969, 1971, 1977 and about 1992. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))
- Vyacheslav Zaytsev was among the best blocking setters ever. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Vyacheslav Zaytsev (volleyhall.org))

## 8.90 Father and Son

Hugo Conte: three Olympics, a 23-year club career and a son in Argentina's team.

### Test 1: Hugo Conte

- Argentina beat Brazil in five sets for bronze in Seoul. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- Argentina reached the semi-finals there. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- He was 21. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- Most of those seasons were in Italy. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- He was vice-captain at the 2010 World Championship. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- His best result was ninth in Berlin. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- He played there in three spells. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- 1984, 1988 and 2000; Argentina missed 1996. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1990. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))
- Hugo Conte's son Facundo was vice-captain in 2010. (Fuente: International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Hugo Conte (volleyhall.org))

Fuentes: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, the FIVB and Volleyball World, the CEV, the NCAA, the IOC, World ParaVolley, the federations', clubs' and leagues' own histories, Guinness World Records and named reputable media.

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