Joël Despaigne Explained

Joël Despaigne
Fullname:Joël Despaigne Charles
Nickname:El Diablo
Birth Date:2 July 1966
Birth Place:Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Height:1.91 m
Position:Outside hitter
Teamnumber:4
Nationalyears:1986–1996

Joël Despaigne Charles (born 2 July 1966), more commonly known as Joël Despaigne, is a retired volleyball player from Cuba who represented his native country in two consecutive 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.

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). He had about 350 appearances with the Cuban national team.

Despaigne led the Cuban team to the gold medal at the 1989 FIVB World Cup in Japan. He also helped the Cuban team win the silver medal at the 1990 FIVB World Championship in Brazil, and was named the best player in the world in 1990 by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). He then helped the Cuban team win the gold medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, followed by the silver medal at the 1991 FIVB World Cup in Japan.[4]

Coaching

Despaigne lives in Italy and works as a volleyball coach.[5]

Awards and accolades

Despaigne was a torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the 1991 Pan American Games.[6]

In 2020, Despaigne won a Fair Play Menarini International Award in the category of "Fair Play" for his sportsmanship.[7]

Personal life

Despaigne married María Teresa Santamaría, who was a member of the Cuban women's national volleyball team in the 1980s.[8]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Joël Despaigne . Olympedia . August 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230306220005/https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/52209 . March 6, 2023 . live .
  2. News: . Cuba's Sultan Of Spike -- Some Hail Despaigne As World's Top Player . Farrey . Tom . August 2, 1990 . August 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828053159/https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19900802&slug=1085641 . August 28, 2023 . live .
  3. News: Despaigne Leads Cuba to Volleyball Superiority . . Wilbon . Michael . August 15, 1991 . August 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828174549/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/08/15/despaigne-leads-cuba-to-volleyball-superiority/35212f0c-acf5-440c-91ac-6dbfaab6a23c/ . August 28, 2023 . live .
  4. Web site: Player tournaments . Volleybox.net . 8 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408195556/https://volleybox.net/joel-despaigne-p302/indoor_tournaments . 8 April 2024 . live .
  5. Web site: Joël Despaigne: history and training of the devil from Cuba that made the volleyball world tremble . Technogym.com . Damini . Egle . August 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828160641/https://www.technogym.com/us/newsroom/joel-despaigne-story-training-volleyball-legend/ . August 28, 2023 . live .
  6. News: Pan American Games : Fervor Smooths the Rough Spots : Opening: Cubans' warmth after five years of struggle to complete the games' facilities helps offset the poor workmanship on display at some venues. . . Harvey . Randy . 3 August 1991 . 6 September 2024 .
  7. Web site: 2020 Edition . Fair Play Menarini Foundation . 16 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231211112218/https://www.fairplaymenarini.com/en/hall-of-fame/2020 . 11 December 2023 . live .
  8. . Put-down Artist . Nack . William . 22 July 1992 . . New York City . 2 February 2024 .

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