Wikipedia:WikiProject Volleyball/To do/biographies

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José Roberto Guimarães
Prof. Francisco Cruz Jiménez Having first studied as a Volleyball coach in 1964 and begun work as a Volleyball instructor in 1967, 53-year-old Cuban Francisco Cruz Jiménez brings plenty of experience into the coaching circle for the Dominican Republic.
 * Volleyball coach of the Brazil women's volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=BRA&TRN=WGP2005&sm=58

Following last year’s 11th place finish at the Olympic Games, Jiménez, who has been involved extensively in the Dominican Republic Women’s Volleyball Program as a coach and instructor, was called on to replace compatriot Jorge Garbey, who had been head coach since the start of 2003, and there’s no doubt Jiménez’s experience will be valuable for a young and promising Dominican side.

Jiménez, who has coached in Cuba and Peru and acted as the Director of the Dominican Republic High Performance Volleyball Development Center, was part of the coaching staff of the Cuban men’s youth Volleyball team from 1971-1975.

In 1977 he became the Instructor at the University of Physical Culture and Sports of Cuba leading more than 170 National and International Volleyball Technicians from Syria, Gana, Panama, Peru, Sir Lanka, etc.

In 1995 Jiménez helped with the preparation of the Women’s Youth Volleyball team of Peru and since 2001 he has been a part of the Dominican Republic Women’s Youth & Junior Programs, participating in several international events as head coach, including; the 2001 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship (9th place), the 2001 FIVB Girl’s Youth World Championship (8th place), the 2002 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship (4th Place), the 2002 NORCECA Girls Youth Continental Championship (Silver Medal) and the 2004 NORCECA Junior Continental Championship (Silver Medal).


 * Article of 2006
 * http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2006/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=BRA&TRN=WGP2005&sm=58

José Roberto Guimarães was born in Quintana, a city 500 km away from São Paulo. His career as a player started in 1967 playing for Randi Esporte in Santo André. This team changed its name to Aramaçan and later to Pirelli, in which Zé Roberto played as a setter from 1979 to 1982.

“Maybe that was what turned me into a coach. The setter is the player who keeps contact with the whole team. It is easier for him to get used to the attacking style of other players and this gives him a better vision of the game and creates a closer relationship between the setter and the coach”, explained Zé Roberto.

After Pirelli, the Brazilian head coach played for Olímpico (1982), Atlético Mineiro (1983), Paulistano (1984), Banespa (1985/86), Transbrasil (1987) and ended his career playing for Asbac (1988). As a national team player, Zé Roberto won the gold medal in the South American Championship twice (1973 and 1975) and finished in seventh place in the Olympic Games of Montreal (1976).

In 1988, Zé Roberto started his career as a coach training Eletropaulo women’s team. In the following three years, he worked for Pão de Açúcar. Meanwhile (1989/90) Mr. Guimarães was the assistant coach of Mr. Bebeto de Freitas in the Brazilian men’s national team. In 1991, he started to coach the Youth and Junior categories.

In 1992 he achieved the most important title of his career: the gold medal at the Olympic Games of Barcelona, with the Brazilian men’s team. After that he kept on winning medals and good results: first place in the Top Four (Japan/1991); first place in the World League (Brazil/1993) and first in the South American Championship (1993); bronze medal in the World League (1994) and fifth place in the World Championship (Greece/1994); silver medal in the World League (1995), gold in the South American Championship (1995) and bronze in the World Cup (Japan/1995); third place in the World League (1996) and fifth in the Olympic Games of Atlanta (1996).

After finishing his cycle in the national team, Zé Roberto started to coach Banespa men’s team and won the gold medal in Superliga (Brazilian Championship) 1996/97. After that, he coached Dayvit, a women’s team, finishing the Superliga in fifth place. In the following season he worked as a volleyball and soccer manager.

Zé Roberto came back to volleyball in 2001 to coach BCN/Osasco and in the 2001/02 season finished the Superliga in second place.

In 2003 Zé Roberto started to work as the coach of the Brazilian women’s national team. In that same year he won the South American Championship and came second in the World Cup.

Chen Zhonghe
Chen Zhonghe, 47, has been in charge of the Chinese national women’s Volleyball team since 2001, the same year as the side won the World Grand Champion title, but his involvement with the team goes well beyond the last four years.
 * Chinese volleyball coach, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=CHN&TRN=WGP2005&sm=59

In 1979 he joined the team as a trainer before moving into the assistant coach’s position in 1989, a role he maintained until moving into the role he holds today. A coach with strong principles and high values Zhonghe’s experience in the coaching arena is proving invaluable as he works with a young Chinese team that is focused on the Olympic Games. He has already worked wonders with the team.

After a fourth-place finish at the 2002 World Championship in Germany, he has led China through two magnificent seasons starting in 2003 where they won the World Grand Prix title and the World Cup before claiming the 2004 Olympic Games gold medal in Athens and the number one world ranking.

“In serving, attacking and defending, our team stands shoulder to shoulder with European teams,” he said. But he cautions against too much optimism by quoting a Chinese proverb “It’s easy to climb to the top, but not easy to stay there.”

Luis Felipe Calderón
Luis Felipe Calderon Former assistant coach Luis Felipe Calderon made his debut as head coach of the Cuban women’s team at the 2002 World Championship where he took the team to a credible fifth place. But ever since the glory days of the 1990’s, Cuba has struggled to get back on to the podium.
 * Cuban volleyball coach, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=CUB&TRN=WGP2005&sm=60

Last year however, was proof that Calderon is starting to make things happen with this young and exciting Cuban side. A bronze medal finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics was a sure sign that Cuba are heading in the right direction.

But it is also in the World Grand Prix where Calderon is producing more favourable results. Having just witnessed (as assistant coach at the time) Cuba finish 11th out of 12 teams at the 2003 World Grand Prix, registering just one win from five matches, Calderon led Cuba to fourth place last year with 10 victories and three defeats.

However, the 1994 and 1998 world champions and three-time Olympic champions are still rebuilding with players like Yanelia Santos and Nancy Carillo de la Paz less than 20-year's-old and it’s up to Calderon, who took Cuba to the silver medal at the 2003 NORCECA Continental Championship and a sixth place finish at the 2003 World Cup, and the renowned Eugenio George Lafita, 70, who is accredited with the status of assistant coach, to keep Cuba growing in the right direction.

Francisco Cruz Jimenez
Prof. Francisco Cruz Jiménez Having first studied as a Volleyball coach in 1964 and begun work as a Volleyball instructor in 1967, 53-year-old Cuban Francisco Cruz Jiménez brings plenty of experience into the coaching circle for the Dominican Republic.
 * Dominican Republic volleyball coach, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=DOM&TRN=WGP2005&sm=61

Following last year’s 11th place finish at the Olympic Games, Jiménez, who has been involved extensively in the Dominican Republic Women’s Volleyball Program as a coach and instructor, was called on to replace compatriot Jorge Garbey, who had been head coach since the start of 2003, and there’s no doubt Jiménez’s experience will be valuable for a young and promising Dominican side.

Jiménez, who has coached in Cuba and Peru and acted as the Director of the Dominican Republic High Performance Volleyball Development Center, was part of the coaching staff of the Cuban men’s youth Volleyball team from 1971-1975.

In 1977 he became the Instructor at the University of Physical Culture and Sports of Cuba leading more than 170 National and International Volleyball Technicians from Syria, Gana, Panama, Peru, Sir Lanka, etc.

In 1995 Jiménez helped with the preparation of the Women’s Youth Volleyball team of Peru and since 2001 he has been a part of the Dominican Republic Women’s Youth & Junior Programs, participating in several international events as head coach, including; the 2001 FIVB Women’s Junior World Championship (9th place), the 2001 FIVB Girl’s Youth World Championship (8th place), the 2002 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship (4th Place), the 2002 NORCECA Girls Youth Continental Championship (Silver Medal) and the 2004 NORCECA Junior Continental Championship (Silver Medal).

Lee Hee-Wan
Hee Wan Lee Born in Seoul, South Korea in 1956 Lee came to Germany first as a player in 1985. Lee was South Korea’s best middle blocker, but when there was no setter available at his new club he stepped into this role. This and his later success as a coach caused him to be christened "Karajan of Volleyball" by the German Volleyball Magazine.
 * Volleyball coach German women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=GER&TRN=WGP2005&sm=62

Lee graduated with a coaching diploma at the Cologne Sports Academy in 1995 while having early success in his coaching career with a German Championship title in 1994 and 1997, a European Cup Winners’ Cup silver medal in 1996 and then in 1999, he took the national team to fourth place at the European Championship.

Germany’s sixth place at the Sydney 2000 Olympics meant they finished the second most successful European team behind Russia. Since then Lee has maintained a good return with a 10th place finish at the 2002 World Championship and a seventh place finish at the 2003 World Grand Prix.

Now after another excellent World Grand Prix campaign in 2004 where Germany reached the final round and a sixth-place spot before finishing in ninth position at the 2004 Olympic Games, the great tactician that he is, Lee will be looking to maintain that sort of form and improve in 2005.

Marco Bonitta
Marco Bonitta After an inaugural World Championship title in 2002, Italian women's Volleyball coach Marco Bonitta is still waiting to taste more success as part of his four-year plan. In 2003, the 40-year-old Bonitta turned down a mountain of overseas offers to sign a four-year extension to his two-year Italian coaching contract and after leading the Italian women's team to their best international performance at the World Championships he is looking to make further space in the trophy cabinet.
 * Volleyball coach of the Italian Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=ITA&TRN=WGP2005&sm=63

However, it has been tough for Bonitta and his charges carrying the title of world champions but after last year's World Grand Prix performance, where they collected the silver medal on their own home soil, things were looking up.

This year's competition however, doesn't promise to bring the same reward with some key players missing and Bonitta will have to be at his astute best to make sure Italy improve upon their fifth place finish at the Athens Olympics. If anyone can rise to the challenge it is him.

Shoichi Yanagimoto
Shoichi Yanagimoto Shoichi Yanagimoto, born in Osaka in 1951, was a promising setter even in high school and won two national high school titles. Yanagimoto was selected for Japan’s national squad and achieved remarkable success – 1st at the Asian Games in Iran in 1974, 3rd at the World Championship in Mexico in 1974 and 4th in the Olympics in Montreal in 1976.
 * Volleyball coach of the Japan Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=JPN&TRN=WGP2005&sm=64

Furthermore, for four seasons from 1980 to 1984 Yanagimoto played two roles at New Nippon Steel as the head coach and as a key setter collecting the prize of Best Coach in 1982.

In 1985, Yanagimoto coached the Thai men’s before he was asked to be involved with Nisshin Steel as coach of the women’s team in the V.League in 1997. However, in 2002, due to the long-lasting economic depression their company owner decided to close its Volleyball team, despite being one of the top teams.

In spring in 2003, Yanagimoto was appointed as head coach of the Japanese senior women’s national squad by the JVA. Within eight months he had made a remarkable improvement, seeing Japan finish fifth at the women’s World Cup in November. Despite a disappointing ninth place finish at last year's World Grand Prix, Yanagimoto took Japan to first place at the Olympic Qualification tournament, to qualify for Athens. After the Olympics, having set a high valuation of his ability as a head coach, JVA decided to leave the future of the women’s national team to Yanagimoto.

Kim Hyung-sil
KIM Hyung-Sil
 * Volleyball coach of the South Korea Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=KOR&TRN=WGP2005&sm=65

At 53-year’s-of-age Hyung-Sil Kim is well versed in the subject of Korean Volleyball.

The 2005 World Grand Prix marks his second tenure in charge of the Korean women’s national team having first been in the role from 1981-1984 at the tender age of 29.

After returning to the national scene as assistant coach in 1991, Kim has been, and still is, in charge of the KT&G Women’s Club team in Korea.

Now, the father of two boys, has the exciting challenge of working with the national women’s team again in a competition where they’ve had their fare share of ups and downs.

From the glory days in 1997, when Korea finished 3rd, Kim must now rework a team which struggled to 11th place last year, but if anyone can make a difference it’s the Korean native, who breaths Volleyball and is passionate about the future success of his young national team.

Avital Selinger
Avital Selinger Former Israel national player Avital Selinger has a wonderful history in the sport of Volleyball both in his home land and the Netherlands. Having recorded over 60 caps for the Israel national team from 1974 to 1982, he soon represented the Netherlands having moved there in 1968.
 * Volleyball coach of the Netherlands Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=NED&TRN=WGP2005&sm=66

From 1985 Selinger was officially allowed by the FIVB as a former Israelian international to play for the Dutch national team and from 1985-1992 he went on to play an incredible 387 international matches to be the fifth most capped Dutch player of all time.

As a member of the Dutch national team he won a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and two bronze medals at the European Championships of 1989 and 1991.

At the end of 1992 Selinger retired as a Dutch international, although he continued playing at the Dutch Premier League club Alcom/Capelle, and it was four laters when he took his first step into coaching in Japan.

Initially he started working as an assistent-coach to his well known father Arie at the Daiei Orange Attackers (Hisamitsu Springs Attackers) and from 1999-2003 he became head coach of that team, as his father's successor. With the Attackers he won the national championship and the Japanese cup twice and the Asiatic Championship.

From 2003-2004 he transferred that success to Tenerife in Spain, winning the Spanish Championship, the Spanish Cup and last but not least the European Champions League.

Since becoming the coach of the Dutch national women’s team in May, 2004 Selinger has already recorded some success having won the 2005 World Grand Prix qualification tournament last year. Results like that bode well for the future of Netherlands women's Volleyball particularly when Selinger has signed on with the 'Orange' team until August, 2008.

Andrzej Niemczyk
Ryszard Andrzej Niemczyk Andrzej Niemczyk, a former player, started his coaching career with a small local team but it wasn't long before he was selected to be the head coach of the Polish women’s national team for the first time in 1975. However it was short as he left in 1977, after the European Championships in Finland as he was not able to keep the promise of a medal position, finishing fourth.
 * Volleyball coach of the Poland Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=POL&TRN=WGP2005&sm=67

From 1980-1989 Niemczyk was in charge of the West German national women’s side and in 1984 his team participated in the Los Angeles Olympic Games, finishing 6th.

Following his time on the international stage Niemczyk spent most of the 90s in Turkey, reaching success with club teams Eczacibasi Istanbul and Vakifbank Ankara.

After accepting his second term in charge of Poland following the sudden resignation of Zbigniew Krzyzanowski in April 2003, 61-year-old Niemczyk has brought not only a new quality but also a new life into the national side, as he gathered all the best Polish players. His first success was achieved in the European 2004 World Grand Prix qualifying tournament held on home soil in Pila. The home team finished second, to secure a spot in the World Grand Prix for the first time.

But the best was still to come. In September, Poland surprisingly won gold at the European Championship in Turkey. That was the first ever continental title for any Polish senior team.

In 2004, despite not qualifying for the Olympics, Niemczyk took his team to eighth place in the 2004 World Grand Prix to see their world ranking rise from 10 to 8 position. Now, in 2005, Niemczyk and his team have a lot of work to do but despite his struggle with cancer over the years, he has never slowed down. As he said himself “I am a person, who wants to win everything.”

Sutchai Chanbunchee
Sutchai Chanbunchee Chanbunchee, a physical educational teacher from Nakhon Ratchasima, first started working as a Volleyball coach in 1984.
 * Volleyball coach of the Thailand Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=THA&TRN=WGP2005&sm=68

Although he does not live in the heart of Thailand Volleyball – Bangkok – Chanbunchee’s thirst for learning and for experiencing Volleyball at different levels has seen him succeed not only at school level but also national and international competitions.

He has coached his home town at the national Junior Games and national Senior Games before going onto coach a club in the national first division, recording many great achievements along the way both at national and international Competitions.

In 2005, he was nominated as the head coach of the Thailand national women’s team for the first time and in front of him is a hectic schedule with the 2006 World Championships, Asian Senior Women's Championship, South East Asian Games and the most important event, the 2005 World Grand Prix.

His aim for this year is for an improved performance at the World Grand Prix while also hoping to lead the national women’s team to the final round of the 2006 Women’s World Championship.

Lang Ping
"Jenny” Lang Ping “Jenny” Lang Ping of China, one of the most famous and respected individuals in the history of Volleyball, was hired in February this year to replace Toshi Yoshida, who resigned as the head coach of the USA women’s national team late last year to accept a professorship position in Japan.
 * Volleyball coach of the United States Women’s national volleyball team, article of 2005
 * http//www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2005/Teams/Team_Roster.asp?TEAM=USA&TRN=WGP2005&sm=69

“Lang Ping is perhaps the most decorated, successful women’s Volleyball personality in the world, and I am excited that we are going to be able to have her leading our women’s national team for the next quadrennial," said USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer, Doug Beal.

“This is an individual who has been uncommonly successful in every phase of her career as a player and a coach, and her accomplishments are unequaled,” Beal added. “She won every major event as a player for China during her career and was clearly the dominant player in the world in the 1980s.

“And she transitioned more seamlessly than almost anyone in Volleyball history to her role as a coach, leading China to a silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and successfully coaching professionally in Italy for many years.”

Known as the “Iron Hammer” during her playing days, Lang Ping, 44, was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame as a player on Oct. 18, 2002, culminating an incredible career that saw her establish herself as one of the finest female volleyball players ever.

“I am very excited to work for USA Volleyball,” she said. “I will do my best to make the program even stronger. I am sure we will have a lot of work to do in order to build up the team. Our first goal is to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games. Of course, our journey will be very difficult, but I also think we have a great future.

“I am very thankful to USA Volleyball for giving me this opportunity to coach,” she added. “The other thing I am thankful for is that I can again be closer to my daughter. I have responsibility to help her and watch her grow up. It’s a great thing for me to be able to do both.”

Lang Ping’s 12-year-old daughter, Lydia, lives in Tustin, Calif., with her father.

Lang Ping was a member of the Chinese women’s national team that won an Olympic gold medal over the United States at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, a World Championship crown in 1982 and World Cup titles in 1981 and 1985.

Revered by Chinese fans, Lang Ping has been honored with her own postage stamp, had her wedding broadcast on national television and has stadiums named after her in China.

She later became a well-respected coach. From 1987-1989 and 1992-1993 Lang Ping was assistant coach at the University of New Mexico. From 1993-1995 she was the head coach of the Yaohan Professional World Superstar Team in Japan.

In 1995, Lang Ping became the head coach of the Chinese national team and eventually guided the squad to the silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Later that year she earned FIVB Coach of the Year honors. China also captured a silver medal at the 1998 World Championship, a bronze medal at the 1995 World Cup and a gold medal at the 1995 Asian Championships during her tenure. She resigned from her job as coach in early 1999.