Kiraly, Torres chosen best of the century

CHENNAI, DEC. 13. Triple Olympic gold medallists Karch Kiraly of the United States and Regla Torres of Cuba have been selected as the best volleyball players of the 20th century, according to the International Volleyball Federation's (FIVB) press release.

After collecting the votes from journalists, officials, players and volleyball fans from all over the world, the FIVB Grand Jury chose Kiraly and Torres at the FIVB headquarters at Lausanne.

Kiraly's brilliant record includes his gold medal triumph in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, the World Cup title in Tokyo in 1985 and the Paris World championship in 1986. After 1988, he turned a beach volleyball pro and won the 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold in that event too. Konstantin Reva of USSR (1949-56) and Katsutoshi Nekoda of Japan (1965-1975) have been chosen for special awards for their unique performance and contribution to the game.

Torres was responsible for Cuba winning most of the World titles between 1992 to 2000. That includes three consecutive Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996, 2000), the Brazil World championship titles in 1994 and in 1998 at Tokyo and the Tokyo World Cup honours in 1995 and 1999.

Ina Riskal of USSR (1964-1976), who won the Olympic gold medals in 1968 and 1972 and Lang Ping of China, who clinched the Olympic gold in 1984, World championship title in 1982 and World Cup title in 1981 and 1985 have been selected for special awards, taking their outstanding contribution to the game into consideration.

Other awards:

Best teams: Men: Italy (three consecutive World championship winners - 1990, 1994, 1998, World Cup triumph in 1995 and the World league titles in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997). Special award: USA team (Olympic gold medal winner in 1984 and 1988).

Women: Japan (World championship honours in 1962 and first gold medal in 1964); Special award: China (winner of the 1981 and 1985 World Cup, 1982 and 1986 World championship and 1984 Olympic gold medal).

Best coaches: Men: Yasutaka Matsudaira of Japan (1964-74) (for his eight year team plan that helped Japan win the Olympic gold in 1974 at Munich and his innovations); Special awards: Vyacheslav Platonov, USSR (1990-2000) and Julio Velasco (Italy- 1990-1996).

Women: George Eugenio of Cuba (1990- 2000) (for her brilliant training that gave birth to the most successful team of the century); Special awards: Hirofumi Daimatsu of Japan (1960-64) and Givi Akhvlediani of USSR (1960-72).

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