Alejandrina Mireya Luis Hernández, often referred to as Mireya (born 25 August 1967),[1] is a Cuban former volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist. She won gold medals at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics with the Cuban women's national volleyball team.[2][1] She was the captain of the Cuban team from the late 1980s until her retirement.[3]
In 2004, Mireya was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.[2]
Career
editPan American Games
editAt the age of 10, Mireya started playing volleyball.[2] At 16, Mireya joined the Cuban national team for the 1983 Pan American Games, winning a gold medal.[4] She competed at the 1987 Pan American Games, again helping Cuba win the tournament.[1][5] She won additional gold medals at the Pan American Games in 1991 and 1995.[1]
World Cups and World Championships
editIn 1985, Mireya won a silver medal with the Cuban team at the FIVB World Cup, where the Chinese led by Lang Ping won the gold.[4] In that tournament, Mireya was named the "best attacker".[4] In 1989, she won her first FIVB World Cup gold medal with Cuba, and was awarded as the "best spiker" and "most valuable player".[4] She won additional gold medals at the 1991 and 1995 FIVB World Cup, being selected as the "best attacker" in both tournaments and the "most valuable player" in 1995.[4][6]
Mireya led Cuba to the silver medal at the 1986 FIVB World Championship,[7] and subsequently led Cuba to gold medals at the 1994 and 1998 FIVB World Championship.[8]
Olympic Games
editAfter a brief hiatus due to a knee injury that required surgery in 1990, Mireya resumed play and became a dominant force on the team.[4] Mireya won her first Olympic gold medal in 1992 in Barcelona.[4] She would win her second Olympic gold medal in 1996 in Atlanta.[9][4] Although she contemplated retiring after winning her second Olympic gold medal, she continued playing for the national team.[10] Mireya achieved her third Olympic gold medal in 2000 in Sydney, and soon after retired in 2001.[4]
Mireya's vertical jump
editMireya was known for her spectacular jumping power, reaching 3.39 meters (11'1"), more than any other player, though being only 1.75 meters (5'9") tall.[11][2]
FIVB
editIn 2018, Mireya was unanimously elected to the position of executive vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).[12]
Personal life
editMireya has a daughter, Idanaisi, and a grandson, Darío.[13]
Individual awards
edit- 1985 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Attacker"
- 1989 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Most Valuable Player"
- 1989 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Spiker"
- 1991 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Attacker"
- 1991 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Spirit of Fight"
- 1994 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship "Best Spiker"
- 1993 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix "Most Valuable Player"
- 1995 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Most Valuable Player"
- 1995 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup "Best Spiker"
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Mireya Luis". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Mireya Luis". International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
- ^ Nacianceno, Alfonso (27 June 2017). "Mireya, a well-grounded Cuban athlete". Granma. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Coll Untoria, Jorge Luis (24 April 2023). "Mireya Luis' great jump". Oncubanews.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ Harvey, Randy (21 August 1987). "The 1987 Pan American Games : Women's Volleyball : A Bored Cuba Team Takes Time to Top U.S." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 September 2024. (subscription required)
- ^ Lokegaonkar, Jay (5 February 2023). "History of FIVB Volleyball World Cup and winners list". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ^ Averhoff, Damián D. (11 May 2018). "Maternidad y deporte: La increíble historia de Mireya Luis". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "'The Spectacular Caribbean Girls': Cuba's three volleyball golds in a row". Olympics.com. 19 January 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ Araton, Harvey (4 August 1996). "For Cuban Veteran, Just Thought of Pro Career Brings Tears". The New York Times. sec. 8 p. 3. Retrieved 5 September 2024. (subscription required)
- ^ Norwood, Robyn (4 August 1996). "Present Is Golden, but Future Not Bright". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 28 September 2024. (subscription required)
- ^ Gunston, Jo (22 September 2022). "Volleyball: The most asked questions about women's indoor volleyball". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- ^ "Mireya Luis elected vice president of FIVB". CubaSí. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ Arce Montero, Angélica; Suñol Robles, Jorge (10 May 2021). "Las 3 del día: La impresionante historia de maternidad de Mireya Luis ( Podcast)". Cubadebate.cu (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
External links
edit- International Volleyball Hall of Fame profile
- Alejandrina Luis at Olympics.com
- Olympedia profile: Mireya Luis
- Volleybox.net profile
- Mireya Luis at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- Volleyhall.org at the Wayback Machine (archived 22 August 2010)
