At 38, Sergey still has the touch of a VOLLEYBALL GENIUS.
Seriously, he is no doubt of the BEST volleyball players the world has ever seen.
After winning the 2013/2014 Champions League and the MVP Award with his Russian club team Belgorod, the legendary outside hitter could not avoid the media from asking him if he would play for the National Team again.
Born in Uzbekistan more than 38 years ago, Russian volleyball star Sergey Tetyukhin once again impressed the world, this time with his fantastic contribution to his team Belogorie BELGOROD’s victory in the 2014 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League – Men. The legendary receiver showed no signs of aging as he deservedly claimed the Most Valuable Player award during the closing ceremony in Ankara.
Tetyukhin’s great performance during the Final Four tournament came to no one’s surprise as his incredible volleyball abilities are well known to the fans and specialists alike. But the former Russian national team player undoubtedly sparked admiration for maintaining his sky-high level even at the age of 38, as many as twenty years after, also in Ankara, a much younger Sergey was honored as MVP at the 1994 Junior Men’s European Championship as his team claimed the title.
Not only that, the way Tetyukhin played during the Champions League matches in the Turkish capital also sparked some hopes that he might consider returning to the national team. The four-time Olympic medalist announced his retirement from Sbornaya upon winning gold at the London Games in 2012. Despite the fact that Sergey had never won a senior continental title with Russia, he did not change his mind and did not join the national squad for the Final Round of the 2013 CEV VELUX Volleyball European Championship where his former teammates rejoiced with the gold medals. Still one of the first questions he was asked by the Russian media upon winning the Champions League trophy and the MVP award was if he would like to quench his continuing thirst for victories during the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. Sergey paused for a second to think, but then replied:
“Back to the national team? Maybe, but most probably not…”
How is it possible that at the age of 38 you manage to demonstrate such a fantastic game, Tetyukhin was also asked. “We have an excellent team of similar-minded individuals,” he answered. “We are all literally burning for the common cause. In such an atmosphere a problem with dedication or with commitment cannot occur. It is this team unity that adds strength, energy and motivation. And coach Gennady Shipulin is our main motivator. Therefore, one can never try only half his best when playing for Belogorie. And for me, the desire to win is always there…”
To be honest, Sergey’s presence will make Russia a VERY STRONG team. Plus, they need a reliable and experienced player like him.
Thoughts?