MADRID, Spain.- The Cuban Yumilka Ruiz, one of the spectacular “Morenas del Caribe”, will enter the International Volleyball Hall of Fame (IVHF), based in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
According to reported this Monday the IVHF, the official exaltation ceremony will be next October 21 in Holyoke.
Making the announcement, IVHF CEO George Mulry stated: “Each honoree brings a unique story that will be shared with the world.”
Along with the Cuban, four-time Olympic athlete Phil Dalhausser (United States, beach volleyball) will be exalted; two-time Olympic medalist and five-time FIVB World Tour champion Larissa França Maestrini (Brazil, beach player); three-time Olympic medalist Katsutoshi Nekoda (Japan, men’s indoor player); Olympic medalist and veteran professional coach Silvano Prandi (Italy, coach); and the first member to represent Thailand in the IVHF, Shanrit Wongprasert (Thailand, leader).
About these athletes, the International Volleyball Hall of Fame recalled that “they were at the top of the game in their respective categories, making history on the way to this prestigious recognition.”
“Since 1985, the IVHF has had the great honor of inducting the legends of our sport while recognizing them for their storied careers and numerous accomplishments,” added IVHF President Steve Bishop.
Yumilka Ruiz, whose possible entrance to the Hall had been announced last April, she becomes the sixth Cuban to integrate the select space. The first Cuban to be exalted to the Hall was rule torresin 2001. He was followed by Mireya Luis (2004), Magaly Carvajal (2011), Mirka Francia (2019) and Taismary Agüero (2021).
Ruiz, Olympic champion of Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000; world champion in 1998, among many other triumphs during a 15-year career in the national team, she thrilled volleyball lovers from 1996 to 2008, a time when this discipline in Cuba experienced its best moments.
