Fofão, Still Setting at 43.

She turned 43 yesterday (Happy Birthday Fofao!), but old age doesn’t affect Fofão’s game at all.

She still got it & still setting for the #1 team in the Brazilian League this season!

In an interview released by globoesporte.globo.com, the 5 time Olympian and 2008 Olympic gold medalist dishes a lot about her career and that she doesn’t feel old at all with her age and she feels less pressure now when she plays. With more than 20 years of experience, she should NOT be feeling any at all! Hah!

Fofao says…

“People talk about 43, but my head does not. At this age, I am still active, I’m in the rhythm, it’s hard. But when you are well, age does not influence much. I’m good. I know I can make mistakes, but that does not affect me anymore. When we do not have much experience, we feel more afraid. This luggage gives you confidence. When I was younger, if I were asked if I would play until 42, I would say: ‘For God’s sake’. I let things happen.”

Before signing with Unilever for this season, she took a year off the court. Despite not having trained, she had more time to take better care of her body. Moreover, when he returned, she trained to stay in the same level as the other players, with the help of the professional staff.

“You lose a lot. But I had time to prepare myself. It was a slow process through. When I joined the group, I was on the same level. I felt a lack of pace, but not scared. I have limitations, but they (trainers) are limiting me more. If they leave, I train in the morning and afternoon. When I play a five-set match, for example, it takes me longer to recover, but it’s nothing too hard.”

The rapid adaptation to the team and the city of Rio de Janeiro also made all the difference. Although born in São Paulo, the setter seems to be home. She said the relationship with the other players is great.

“The level is very high. The weather is nice. It’s good. Being happy is the main thing. If I was not, it would be difficult. The city has a good mood, you can not keep a bad mood here. As for Bernardo, I knew hm. I knew when he was nervous, he would scream. But that’s what I need too. He lives for volleyball. And it helps too.”

As of press time, Fofao and Team Unilever are busy preparing for the semifinal round of the Superliga. They won their 1st match last Friday versus Tandara, Fabiana and Team Sesi.

Aside from winning the FIVB Grand Prix so many times & competing in the Olympics 1992-2008, here are some individual highlights of her career:

1999 FIVB World Grand Prix “Best Setter”
2006–07 CEV Cup “Best Setter”
2007–08 CEV Champions League “Best Setter”
2007 FIVB World Cup “Best Setter”
2007 Pan-American Games “Best Setter”
2008 Final Four Cup “Most Valuable Player”
2008 Final Four Cup “Best Setter”
2008 Summer Olympics “Best Setter”

Before we forget, Fofao was asked by Coach Guimaraes in 2010 to rejoin the team because the coach was losing hope with his setters, Dani Lins and Fabiola. After a lot of thinking, Fofao declined and said that it’s best for the new setters to gain experience. In the end, Fofao’s decision helped Coach ZRG to trust Dani Lins and eventually won Olympic gold in London. Yay!

(images: FIVB)