Joël Despaigne

Joël Despaigne
Personal information
Full nameJoël Despaigne Charles
NicknameEl Diablo
Born (1966-07-02) 2 July 1966 (age 58)
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Number4
National team
1986–1996 Cuba
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  Cuba
World Championship
Silver medal – second place 1990 Brazil Team
FIVB World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1989 Japan
Silver medal – second place 1991 Japan
FIVB World League
Silver medal – second place 1991 Italy
Silver medal – second place 1992 Italy
Silver medal – second place 1994 Italy
Goodwill Games
Bronze medal – third place 1990 Seattle
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1991 Havana Team
Silver medal – second place 1987 Indianapolis Team
Bronze medal – third place 1995 Mar del Plata Team
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Santiago de los Caballeros Team

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.[2]

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).[2] He had about 350 appearances with the Cuban national team.[4]

Despaigne led the Cuban team to the gold medal at the 1989 FIVB World Cup in Japan.[4] He also helped the Cuban team win the silver medal at the 1990 FIVB World Championship in Brazil,[1] and was named the best player in the world in 1990 by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).[4] He then helped the Cuban team win the gold medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana,[1] followed by the silver medal at the 1991 FIVB World Cup in Japan.[5]

Coaching

Despaigne lives in Italy and works as a volleyball coach.[4]

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Joël Despaigne". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Farrey, Tom (2 August 1990). "Cuba's Sultan Of Spike -- Some Hail Despaigne As World's Top Player". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  3. ^ Wilbon, Michael (15 August 1991). "Despaigne Leads Cuba to Volleyball Superiority". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Damini, Egle. "Joël Despaigne: history and training of the devil from Cuba that made the volleyball world tremble". Technogym.com. Archived from the original on 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Player tournaments". Volleybox.net. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  6. ^ Harvey, Randy (3 August 1991). "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". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 September 2024. (subscription required)
  7. ^ "2020 Edition". Fair Play Menarini Foundation. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  8. ^ Nack, William (22 July 1992). "Put-down Artist". Sports Illustrated. New York City: Time. Retrieved 2 February 2024. (subscription required)