OSBORNE Richard (GBR) Richard started playing SV in 2010 and began coaching in 2011 and have continued since. He started as a player because a family friend who had lost both her legs introduced him to the sport. He instantly fell in love with it. Three months after starting, his...

MEHRZADSELAKJANI Morteza (IRI) Morteza started his spectacular international sitting volleyball career at the 2016 Intercontinental in Anji, China. He credits his friend Mr Golchin for facilitating his introduction to the sport. Event involvement: Paralympic Games 2016 – Rio Paralympic Games – Gold Medal 2020 – Tokyo Paralympic Games – Gold...

MATTHEWS Monique (USA) Monique started with WOVD/WPV in 2010 at the World Championships in Edmond, Oklahoma. She states: “Bill Hamiter has been the greatest influence on me and my development because he is literally the person who taught me how to play not only sitting volleyball, but any volleyball. I...

MATEUOV Yernar (KAZ) Yernar Mateuov started playing sitting volleyball nationally in 2002 and internationally in 2008 at the Intercontinental Cup in Egypt. He credits Takhauov Bayrzhan as having the greatest influence on his development. Event involvement: 2008 Ismailia, Egypt – Intercontinental Cup – Player 2009 Iran – Junior World Championships...

MARSZALEK Jolanta (POL) Masters and PhD in the research areas of physical fitness, performance, and classification systems for Paralympic Sport. PhD thesis on Evaluation of classification system in sitting volleyball (in Polish). Published several papers on topics relating to sitting volleyball. Contributed to the development of a Research Scoping &...

KASKABAYEV Erik (KAZ) Erik started playing sitting volleyball in 2002 and then internationally in 2006 at the Asian Para Games in Malaysia. Kulushov Nuraly has been the person he has credited as having the greatest influence on his development in the sport. Event involvement: 2006 Malaysia – Asian Para Games...

KASAP Damir (CRO) Damir started playing sitting volleyball on the national and international level in 1996 in Croatia and still is a member of the national team. The sport was ideal for social rehabilitation of war veterans and their inclusion back to society. Later on, with new generations it quickly...

KANAHELE-MACLAY Kaleo (USA) Kaleo started with WOVD/WPV at the 2010 World Championships in Oklahoma, USA. Regarding the greatest influence on her development Kaleo states: “Bill Hamiter our head coach has not only taught me sitting volleyball but I truly believe is the reason I am where I am today with...

IRŠIČ Alenka (SLO), formerly SART Alenka Iršič was a volleyball player. She played in a successful volleyball team, which competed in the top Yugoslavian division and later in Slovenian league. She had problems with her knee and joined the sitting volleyball club team ISD Samorastnik Ravne and then the Slovenian...

VLADO Homan (SLO) Vlado Homan started competing in sport for the disabled in 1980. Peter Ozmec attracted him to take part and they were the founders of the Sport club for disabled ISD Samorastnik for which he became Vice-president and member of the Executive Board. . In 1981 Davorin Kragelnik...