He will be the first Cuban male player inducted into the Hall.

On Tuesday, Former Cuban volleyball player Joel Despaigne, nicknamed “The Devil,” was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF) in the indoor player category.

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Born in Santiago, Despaigne became a symbol of Caribbean volleyball for his offensive power, his vertical leap of over one meter, and his style.

He was named the best player in the world in 1990 by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), leading Cuba to gold at the 1989 World Championship and silver in 1990.

He participated in two Olympic Games: Barcelona 1992, where Cuba finished fourth, and Atlanta 1996, where they finished sixth, before retiring from the national team.

His international career included more than 350 matches for Cuba and Pan American Games titles, solidifying a golden era for Cuban volleyball alongside figures like Ihosvany Hernandez and Raul Diago.

Despaigne retired in 2002 in Italy, where he resides, and has since then worked as a coach. His nickname arose from the speed of his spikes, which reached up to 121 km/h, and his ability to intimidate opposing defenses with spectacular attacks from any angle.

He will be the first Cuban male player inducted into the IVHF Hall of Fame, following the inclusion of seven players from the Caribbean Women’s National Team and coach Eugenio George, reinforcing the legacy of Cuban volleyball.

The official ceremony will take place on October 17 in Massachusetts, the birthplace of volleyball, solidifying Despaigne’s status as a historical figure in world and Latin American sports.

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE

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