Joël Despaigne

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Joël Despaigne
Personal information
Full nameJoël Despaigne Charles
NicknameEl Diablo
Born (1966-07-02) 2 July 1966 (age 57)
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Number4
National team
1986–1996 Cuba
Honours
Men’s volleyball
Representing  Cuba
World Championship
Silver medal – second place 1990 Brazil Team
FIVB World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1989 Japan
Silver medal – second place 1991 Japan
FIVB World League
Silver medal – second place 1991 Italy
Silver medal – second place 1992 Italy
Silver medal – second place 1994 Italy
Goodwill Games
Bronze medal – third place 1990 Seattle
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1991 Havana Team
Silver medal – second place 1987 Indianapolis Team
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Mar del Plata Team
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Santiago de los Caballeros Team

Joël Despaigne Charles (born 2 July 1966, in

Summer Olympics: the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona (fourth place) and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta (sixth place).[1] He was the captain of the Cuban national volleyball team in the early 1990s.[2]

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Despaigne, known by his nickname "El Diablo" ("The Devil"), was considered among the best volleyball players in the world.[2] He was known for his jumping ability, with a vertical jump estimated to be around 40 inches (1.02 m).[3] He was a powerful spiker, with a spike speed of about 75 miles per hour (121 kph).[2] He had about 350 appearances with the Cuban national team.[4]

Despaigne led the Cuban team to the gold medal at the

International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).[4] He then helped the Cuban team win the gold medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana,[1] followed by the silver medal at the 1991 FIVB World Cup in Japan.[5]

In 2020, Despaigne won a Fair Play Menarini International Award in the category of "Fair Play" for his sportsmanship.[6]

Coaching

Despaigne lives in Italy and works as a volleyball coach.[4]

Personal life

Despaigne married María Teresa Santamaría, who was a member of the Cuban women's national volleyball team in the 1980s.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Joël Despaigne". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Farrey, Tom (2 August 1990). "Cuba's Sultan Of Spike -- Some Hail Despaigne As World's Top Player". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. Washington Post. Archived
    from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Damini, Egle. "Joël Despaigne: history and training of the devil from Cuba that made the volleyball world tremble". Technogym.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Player tournaments". Volleybox.net. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  6. ^ "2020 Edition". Fair Play Menarini Foundation. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  7. ^ Nack, William (22 July 1992). "Put-down Artist". Sports Illustrated. New York City: Time Inc. Retrieved 2 February 2024. (subscription required)

External links

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