Olympic Nations - Who Is Who?

Who was the first athlete elected president in the world?

Marcus Stephen is the first sportspeople elected head of state in the world. Nauru's president since 2007, Stephen was one of the Third World's most famous weightlifters in the 1990s. From 1990 to 1994, he won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. "I am proud of my achievements in weightlifting and what I have done for Nauru", said Stephen. In 1999, he won a silver medal at the World Cup in Greece. He was elected Nauru's sportspeople of the year many times. For this reason, he had many fans in his island, one of the smallest nations on Earth, with an area of 21 square km and a population of about 9,500. One of the most influential leaders in the history of Nauru, Stephen was elected congressman in 2003. Unlike George Weah ( the former footballer who lost the presidential election in Liberia), Stephen Marcus made his dream come true on December 19, 2007, when he was elected president by Parliament. "Marcus Stephen was sworn in as new president after a vote on Wednesday afternoon. It is official, Marcus Stephen is president. He holds the reins now and has appointed a new cabinet", said Nauru's consul to Australia Martin Hunt.

Who is the most famous sportsperson in Montenegro?

Alesandar Radovic, who is one of the greatest water polo players in the world. He work very hard every day. His efforts paid back during the 2007 Universiade in Bangkok (Thailand), when Montenegro won the men's water polo gold medals for the first time. It won 11-8 over Italy in the final match. Radovic excelled in that historic game. Certainly, he can already be counted among the world best athletes of his generation. Currently, Radovic is a symbol of Montenegro, the newest country in the world.

Who is the best volleyball player in the world?

Hector Soto. Birthplace: Puerto Rico. Volleyball champion Soto is an iconic figure in Puerto Rican sporting history. He is creative and efficient. Under his brilliant direction, Puerto Rico finished sixth at the 2007 FIVB World Cup . It defeated teams such as Japan (3-0), USA (3-1), Egypt (3-0), Tunisia (3-0) and Spain (3-0). Soto was top scorer of the FIVB World Championships for two years consecutivly. At the 2007 NORCECA Men's Continental Championship, the Puerto Rican national team won the silver medal. Led by Hector Soto, Puerto Rico defeated Cuba 3-2 (26-24, 11-25, 22-25, 26-24, 15-11). "I think the first set took a lot out of us mentally. We came back too relaxed. ", said Soto. He also gave Puerto Rico its first international title: the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Cartagena (Colombia). In the match for the 1st place Puerto Rico won their first ever gold medal after a 3-0 victory over the Cuban team. Cuba had won 9 of 15 Central American and Caribbean Championships.

Who is the best basketball team in Africa?

During the FIBA African Championship for Men in 2007, the Angolan team placed first. Antonio Carvalho, Olimpio Cipriano, Miguel Lutonda and Emanuel Neto are the best-known names on the team.

Who is Guennadi Touretski?

This man is the coach of greatest swimmers in the world. "Swimmers must be strong as weightlifters and have the lightness and the flexibility of Bolshoi dancer at the same time", Guennadi said in an interview with sportswriter Camillo Cametti.

Who is the best athlete in South Korea?

In 2006, a new star emerged to the world: the swimmer Tae Hwan Park, who won three gold medals at the Asiad. After South Korea's Tae Hwan Park won the gold medal in the 400m free at the FINA World Cup in Australia.

Who is the best handball team in the world?

For many reasons, Germany. It is currently world champion. "We were simply the best team" said Christian Schwarzer, one of the stars of the German team.

Who are the most popular sprinters in Tuvalu?

They are Kasifa Galuega, Puaita Ketepu, Mileneta Lepeni, Manos Lito, Faiva Namoliki, Malietasi Tulaga, Penani Tumau, Fuliga Vaega (100m, 200m, 4x 100m relay).

Who is the best basketball player in Asia?

Yao Ming (China). Why ? For many reasons. Yao Ming is one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A national hero in China after leading them to the Olympics in Sydney (Australia). In 2006, he became top scorer of the World Cup in Tokyo (Japan). As a member of the Chinese men's basketball team, Yao Ming won the silver at the 2002 Asiad. " I love the atmosphere of the Asian Games. It is also a place where China's rivalry in basketball with Korea and Japan is renewed every four years. I went through a lot to play in the NBA, but if I had to choose between playing in the NBA and playing for the Chinese national team, I would choose the national team".

Who is the best runner in the United States?

Bernard Kipchirchir Lagat. Born in Kenya (Africa) but moved to the United States at the age of 22 and took up citizenship in 2004. Last year he won two gold medals at the IAAF World Cup.

Who is Iraki Tsirekidze?

He is a judoka from Georgia (European country). This sportsperson is currently world champion.

Who is the most famous table tennis player in the United States?

Gao Jun. She played many times China, where she was born. In 1994, she became an American citizen. During an interview, she said: "There is a big difference in table tennis between China and the United States. In the U. S. , a lot of people play for fun, more like a basement sport. After I retired from the Chinese national team I thought my career was done. I am grateful for the opportunity to play for the United States and I hope I can win a medal for the U. S. " Gao Jun is champion of the Americas (singles).

Who is Irving Saladino?

Panama's Irving Saladino caused a sensation when he won the gold medal in the long jump at the 2007 World Championships in Japan and was named Panamanian Sportspeople of the Year. This was the best performance by a Panamanian male athlete since 1948. He became the first sportsman from Central American to win a gold medal. Under the leadership of Saladino, Panama has always been on the medal table at each international competition since 2006.

Who is the most famous wrestler in Mongolia?

Naranbaatar Bayaraa Mongolia's Bayaraa won silver in the freestyle 55kg class at the World Cup in Baku (Azerbaijan).

Who is Julio Velasco?

He was one of the most successful coaches in Italy. A native of La Plata (Argentina), Julio Velasco was born on February 9, 1952 to Julio Raoul Velasco Fernandez and Edith Blake Schiaffino. He admires Mario Vargas Llosa, the famous writer from Peru. In the early 1980s, he was assistant coach of the Argentinean men's national team. Of Peruvian, British and Italian origin, Velasco went to Italy in 1983, where he coached the Tre Valli Jesi Club. From 1985 to 1989, he won many Italian crowns. Under his direction, Italy won the FIVB World Champions (1990) and other international tournaments. Velasco was coach of the best volleyball country's best volleyball players:Andrea Lucchetta, Andrea Zorzi, Paolo Tofoli and Lorenzo Bernardi. He believes that Italy's volleyball league is a model for the world. "It's not right to give too much space to the national team and too little to the clubs. Without the club coach, there would be no volleyball. It is he who brings in young athletes, even keeping them from opting for basketball or an engineering degree. We have to give space to all of them and avoid what happened in the United States, where, with no national championship tournament, new blood was lacking and once the superstar cycle was over, the national team plunged from its once top ranking. This doesn't happen in Brazil and Italy, where the resources are inexhaustible precisely because there are big national championships".

Who is Laure Manaudou?

She is the best French swimmer of all times. Olympic gold medalist Laure Manaudou won three gold medals at the 2006 European Cup in Helsinki (Finland).

Who is Thiago Pereira?

He has won more American gold medals than any other swimmer. This sportsman has won an unprecedented six gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games. He won the gold medal in the 200m medley, the 400m medley, the 200m backstroke, the 200m breaststroke, the 4x100m frestyle and the 4x200m freestyle. Pereira was born on January 26, 1986 in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Who are the greatest field hockey teams in the world?

Hockey women: Holland, China, South Africa, Japan, Argentina, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia.

Hockey men: Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Spain, Holland, Canada, China, South Korea, Argentina, USA, India, South Africa and Pakistan.

Who is Churandy Martina?

Like Marc Burns (Trinidad & Tobago), Dudley Dorival (Haiti), Kim Collins (St. Kitts and Nevis) and Asafa Powell (Jamaica), Churandy is one of the best sprinters of the Caribbean. He came 5th in the 100m and 200m at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka (Japan). He is an athlete from the Netherlands Antilles.

Who is Yukio Peter?

Peter was born and grew up in the Federation States of Micronesia, a nation made up 607 islands and cays in the Western Pacific Ocean. He is one of the best weightlifters in the Third World. Under the direction of Paul Coffa (weightlifting coach), he won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Peter's sports career began in 1998 when he was just 13 years old. His dream is to become an Olympic champion. Currently, he works very, very hard. In nearly all of his interviews, he has been described as very friendly and modest. He once said: "For one year or so I used to watch the lifters training under Paul Coffa through the window and every time I was asked to join. I used to run away as I was a very shy boy. One day I was taken into room and I watched the lifting from the inside. From that day I joined the weightlifting group and have never looked back. " For many reasons, he is a model and an ambassador of sport.

Who is Mfon Udoka ?

She is one of the greatest female basketball players of the world. Udoka was elected to the 2004 All-Star Team. She was born in Nigeria.

Who is Rafd Zyad Almasri?

He is perhaps the best swimmer in the Middle East. Rafd is from the Arab nation of Syria. He won the gold medal in the 50m freestyle at the Asiad held in Qatar in 2006.

Who is Franciela Chana Masson?

She is one of the greatest female handball players of the world. Chana has been playing since 2002 in Europe (Germany and Denmark). Like Sandra Pires (beach volleyball), Roerio Sampaio (martial arts) and Robert Scheidt (sailing), she was born in Brazil.

Who is the best water polo team in the world?

Croatia. It won the gold medal at the 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne (Australia). The Croatian water polo team defeated Hungary 9-8 in the final. The winners were: Zdeslav Vrdoljak, Sanir Barac, Miho Boskovic, Damir Buric, Frano Vican, Andro Buslje, Mile Smodlaka, Teo Dogas, Igor Hinic, Maro Jokovic, Aljosa Kunac, Pavo Markovic and Josip Pavic.

Who are the best female basketball players in Mali?

Certainly, Hamchtou Maiga and Din Diawara. They are members of the Malian women's basketball team. Under the leadership of these two women, Mali won the African Championship in 2007. In the final, Mali defeated host nation Senegal . The euphoria in Bamako -the capital city of Mali- was immense. More and more Malians girls now want to become basketball players such as Hamchtou Maiga and Din Diawara. Hamchtou was elected "Most Valuable Player" of the African Championship in Dakar (Senegal). This sportsperson is one of the best female basketball players of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNB). She is a member of the Houston Comets.

Who is Zorac Terzic?

He is coach of the Serbian women's volleyball team. Under Terzic's guidance, Serbia won the bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships in Tokyo (Japan). The national women's volleyball squad became "Sports Team of the Year 2006" in the country (former Yugoslavia). It defeated teams such as Cuba (Caribbean champion), Egypt (African Champion), Italy (world champion), Turkey, Peru, Poland and Taiwan (or Chinese-Taipei). The national women's volleyball squad became "Sports Team of the Year 2006" in the country (former Yugoslavia). "When I took over the lead of the national girls' team that my colleague Darko Zakoc had brought to the qualifications for the European Championships, and made a significant step in returning to the world volleyball stage, we focused on the generation of 1982/1983. As many of these players were juniors five years ago, they needed time to grow in every sense. We gradually introduced them during the events and "threw them into the line of fire", so that they themselves made their way through. Maybe we did not bring the best women players we have at the moment, but that was undoubtedly our best team", said the head coach Terzic, who studied Physical Education at the Belgrade Faculty of Sports and Physical Education.

Who are the best sportspeople in the 205 Olympic nations?

1. Afghanistan: Nesar Ahmad Baharee (taekwondo).

2. Albania: Fetie Kasaj (weightlifting/ European silver medalist, 2007).

3. Algeria: Adbdelkader Chadi (boxing), Salem Iles (aquatics), Abdelhalim Ouali (boxing).

4. American Samoa: James Gurr (wrestling).

5. Andorra: Francesc Repiso Romero (shooting), Antoni Bernardo (marathon).

6. Angola: Victor Carvalho (basketball).

7. Antigua & Barbuda: Brenda Christian (track & field /200m/ American gold medalist, 2007), James Grayman (athletics/ Caribbean gold medalist).

8. Argentina: Juan Roman Riquelme (soccer / he's one of the best players of the world), Santiago Fernandez (rowing), Georgina Bardach (sportswoman/ swimming), German Chiaraviglio (athletics), Carlos Espinoza (sailing).

9. Armenia : Armen Nazaryan, Martin Berberyan (wrestling).

10. Aruba: Fiderd Vis (judo), Isnardo Faro (weightlifting).

11. Australia: Grant Hackett (swimming) , Libby Trickett (sportswoman/ aquatics).

12. Austria: Christoph Sleber (sailing/ Olympic gold medalist, 2004).

13. Azerbaijan: Farid Mansurov (wrestling).

14. Bahamas: Tonique Williams Darling, Donald Thomas, Derrick Atkins (track & field).

15. Bahrain : Maryam Yusuf Jamal (sportswoman/ track & field/ 1,500m / world champion, 2007).

16. Bangladesh: Feroz Mahmud Mohamad (weightlifting), Sree Mohendra Kumar Singh , Asif Hossai Khan (shooting), Md Jewel Ahmed (aquatics).

17. Barbados: Barry Forde (cycling), Anderson Fitzgerald Emmanuel (boxing), Bradley Alli (swimming).

18. Belarus : Alim Selinov (wrestling / world champion).

19. Belgium : Erwin Vervecken /cycling).

20. Belize : Jonathan Williams (track & field/400m), Mateo Cruz, Roger Troyer (cycling).

21. Benin : Fabienne Feraez (athletics / 100m, 200m/she is one of the best sprinters of Africa), Roberto Adjaho (boxing).

22. Bermuda : Peter Bromby (sailing), Tyler Barbour Butterfield (triathlon), Nelson Chesterfield Siomons (shooting).

23. Bhutan : Thshering Chhoden (sportswoman/ archery).

24. Bolivia : Benjamin Martinez (cycling), Giovanna Irusta Morejon (sportswoman/ track and field).

25. Bosnia & Herzegovina : Amel Mekic (judo).

26. Botswana: Khumiso Ikgopoleng (boxing), California Molefe (athletics/ African gold medalist, 2007), Kabelo Kgosiemang (high jump/ African gold medalist, 2007), Herbert Nkabili (boxing).

27. Brazil : Guilhermo Pardo,Guilhermo Kumasaka (badminton), Pedro Veniss (equestrian), Joao Derly (judo/ world champion), Dyego Hypolito (gymnastics/ world champion), Jadel Gregorio (athletics), Luciano Correa (judo/ world champion),Thiago Pereira (aquatics/ American champion), Gustavo Endres (indoor volleyball), Thiago Camilo (martial arts), Marcellus Silva (rowing), Cesar Cielo, Kaio de Almeida (swimming).

28. British Virgin Islands: Tahesia Harrigan (sportswoman/track & field/100m / Central American & Caribbean gold medalist, 2006).

29. Brunei Darussalam : Yusuf Mohammad Yazid (athletics).

30. Bulgaria: Tanyu Kiaiakov (shooting), Zhekov Andrey (indoor volleyball).

31. Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Issouf Kinda (boxing), Idrissa Sanaou (athletics).

32. Burundi : Etienne Bizama (athletics).

33. Cambodia : Hew Bunting (track & field/ 5,000m/ Asian East gold medalist, 2007).

34. Cameroon: Foster Nkodo (boxing), Francoise Mbango Etone (sportswoman /athletics/ jump triple/ world champion, 2007).

35. Canada : Alexandre Despatie (diving/ American champion), Arturo Miranda, Blythe Hartley (aquatics), Kevin Light (rowing/ world champion).

36. Cape Verde: Wania Monteiro (gymnastics/ she's one of the best gymnasts in the Third World), Nick Barros, Joseph Fernandez, Fred Gomes (taekwondo), Nelson Cruz (marathon), Heriberto Gomes, Valdir Reis (beach volleyball).

37. Cayman Islands: Shaune Fraser (aquatics), Cydonia Mothersill ( athletics/ 100m, 200m/she is one of the best sprinters of the world).

38. Central African Republic: Beranger Bosse (athletics).

39. Chad : Kaltouma Nadjina (sportswoman/ track & field/ 400m).

40. Chile: Enzo Cesario, Marco Arriagada, Luis Sepulveda, Gonzalo Miranda (cycling/ Pan American champions), Enrique Tomas Gonzalez Seplveda (gymnastics), Cristian Bustos (modern pentathlon).

41. China (the People's Republic of China): Yao Ming (basketball), Liu Xiang (athletics/ world champion), Wang Liqin (table tennis),Yang Wei (gymnastics/ Asian champion), Xiao Qin (gymnastics), Lin dan (badminton), Feng Yong , Song Baqing (cycling), Wang Lei (fencing), Zhou Suhong (sportswoman/ volleyball), Ge Weiqing (water polo), Chen Yibing (gymnastics/Asian champion), Kai Qin (diving), Yao Xinhao, Ni Wei (sailing), Hu Qing, Zhou Shining (boxing), Qiu Le, Li Zheng, Mao Jiao (weightlifting), Wu Chong Kui (rowing), Gan Lin (shooting), Wang Hao (taekwondo), Yang Wenjun, Huang Shaokun, Mao Xiaojie (kayak).

42. Chinese Taipei (also known as Taiwan): Sung Yu Chi (taekwondo), Kuo Cheng Wei (archery), Chuang Chih Yuan, Wu Chih Chi (table tennis).

43. Colombia: Leidi Jessenia Solis (sportswoman/ weightlifting), Jorge Hugo Girlado (gymnastics).

44. Comoros: Abdallah Mohammed (athletics/110m hurdles).

45. Congo: Gary Kikaya (athletics/ 400m /he is one of the best sprinters of Africa) , Herrig Saliku Biembe (boxing).

46. Congo Republic :Delivert Arsene Kimbembe (athletics).

47. Cook Islands: Tereapii Tapoki (sportswoman/ track & field/ discus/ South Pacific gold medalist, 2007).

48. Costa Rica : Nery Brenes (track & field/ 400m/ he is one of the best sprinters of the Americas).

49. Cote d'Ivoire: Deza Elie (sportswoman/ judo).

50. Croatia: Filip Grgic (taekwondo/ European gold medalist).

51. Cuba: Jose Antonio Guerra, Jorge Betancourt, Eric Fornaris (diving), Angel Matos, Gerardo Ortiz (taekwondo), Dayron Robles (athletics/110m volleyball drills Victor Moya (track & field/ high jump).

52. Cyprus: George Achilleos (shooting), Irodotos Georgallas (gymnastics), Kyriakos Ioannou (track & field/ high jump / world bronze medalist, 2007).

53. Czech Republic: Ondrej Synek (shooting), Barbora Spotakova (sportswoman/t rack & field/ javelin throw/ world champion).

54. Denmark: Jakob Schiott Andkjaer (swimming), Torben Grimmel (shooting).

55. Djibouti : Mohamoud Faran (track & field/ 800m).

56. Dominica: Chris Lloyd (track & field /400m/ Pan American bronze medalist).

57. Dominican Republic: Felix Sanchez (track & field /400m hurdles/ Olympic gold medalist, 2004), Jun Lin (table tennis).

58. Ecuador : Marco Camargo (swimming ) Jefferson Perez Quesada (athletics/ world gold medalist, 2007), Xavier Moreno (track & field/50km walk/ Pan American gold medalist), Alexandra Escobar (sportswoman/ weightlifting), Bayron Piedra (athletics/1,500m), Jaime Saquipay (track & field/ 20km walk), Fausto Endars (cycling).

59. Egypt : Mohammed El Zanaty (aquatics), Ramadan Yasser (boxing), Ismail Fathi (wrestling).

60. El Salvador: Cristina Lopez (sportswoman/ athletics/ American gold medalist, 2007), William Serrano (wrestling).

61. Equatorial Guinea: Emilia Mikue Ondo (sporstwoman/athletics/ 1,500m). .

62. Eritrea : Zersenay Tadesse (athletics), Yared Asmeron (track & field).

63. Estonia: Gerd Kanter (track & field/ discus throw/ world champion).

64. Ethiopia: Kenenisa Bekele (athletics/world gold medalist,2007), Meseret Defar (track & field/ 5,000m/she is one of the greatest runners in Africa).

65. Fiji : Makelesi Bulikiobo (sportswoman/ athletics/ 100m, 200m, 400m/ South Pacific gold medalist, 2007).

66. Finland : Tero Pitkamaki (track & field/ javelin throw/ world champion).

67. France: Frdric Belaubre (triathlon), Julien Absalon (cycling), Julien Pillet (fencing), Khedafi Djelkhir (boxing), Frank Dumoolin (shooting), Mickael Bourgain (cycling), rik Boisse (fencing), volleyball drills Hongyan (badminton), Thomas Voeckler (cycling).

68. Gabon : Sandrine Ilendou (sportswoman/ judo).

69. Gambia:Momodou Jammeh (boxing), Sulayman Kujabi (cycling), Isaac Jones (athletics).

70. Georgia : Revaz Mindorashvili (wrestling / world champion).

71. Germany: Christian Kubusch (swimming).

72. Ghana : Igisious Gaisah (athletics/ long jump/ Commonwealth gold medalist, 2006), Manyo Plange (boxing).

73. Greece : Giorgious Afroudatis (water polo), Pyrros Dimas (weightlifting / he is one of the most popular athletes in Europe).

74. Grenada: Alleyne Francique (track & field / 400m/ he is one of the best sprinters of the world), Sherry Flecher (sportswoman/ athletics/ 200m).

75. Guam: Nikko Pajarillaga (taekwondo).

76. Guatemala : Amado Garcia (track & field/ marathon/ the best runner in Central America).

77. Guinea: Ibrahima Keita (boxing).

78. Guinea-Bissau: Holder Ocante (track & field), Anibal Soares, Joa Pina (beach volleyball).

79. Guyana: Clive Atwell (boxing), Mahendra Persaud (shooting), Christopher Franklin (table tennis).

80. Haiti : Nadine Faustin-Parker (track & field/ 100m hurdles/ Central American & Caribbean silver medalist, 2006/ she's one of the best hurdlers in the Third World ), Dudley Dorival (athletics), Joel Brutus (judo).

81. Honduras: Kevin Hernandez (soccer/ he is one of the most popular players in Central America).

82. Hong Kong : Kin Yin Chan (sailing), Cheung Yuk, Li Ching, Leung Chu Yan, Lai Chak Ko (table tennis), Daniel Lee Chi Wo (triathlon), Wong Kampo (cycling/ world champion).

83. Hungary: Laszlo Cseh (swimming), Kriztian Berki ( gymnastics), Daniel Varga (water polo).

84. Iceland:Olafur Stefannson (handball).

85. India : Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi (tennis), Mangal Sing Champia (archery), Jaspal Rana, Abhinav Bindra (shooting), Bajranglal Takhar, Bijender Singh, Satish Joshi (rowing), .

86. Indonesia: Agus Salim, Supriadi Supriadi (beach volleyball), Taufik Hidayat (badminton/ Olympic champion), Thomas Hallatu (rowing), I Gusti Made Oka Sulaksana (sailing) .

87. Iran : Hussein Rezadeh (weightlifting/ Hussein is one of the best weightlifters in the Third World), Hossein Askari (cycling), Arash Miresmaili (judo), Jasem Delavari (boxing), Aidin Nikkhah Bahrami (basketball), Ali Mazaheri (boxing).

88. Iraq : Mhammad Aljuaifri (weightlifting/ Asian silver medalist, 2006).

89. Ireland: David Burrows (sailing).

90. Israel: Danielle Roth (sportswoman/shooting).

91. Italy: Loris Facci, Marco Formenttini (aquatics), Christopher Sacchin (diving), Maurizio Felugo (water polo), Taismary Agero Leiva Botteghi (indoor volleyball / Taismary is one of the greatest female volleyball players in Europe), Filippo Magnini (swimming).

92. Jamaica : Veronica Campbell (sportswoman/ track & field/100m hurdles/ world champion).

93. Japan : Shingen Furuya (sailing), Motoko Sasamoto, Takafumi Kojima (wrestling), Ken Terauchi (diving), Go Soeda (tennis), Hidemasa Sano, Junya Koga, Ryosuke Irie, Kosuke Kitajima (swimming), Yasuyuki Muneta (judo), Tsubasa Kitatsuru (cycling), Yuki Ota (fencing), Yuya Higashiyama (rowing), Hisashi Mizutori, Hiroyuki Tomita (gymnastics).

94. Jordan: Mohammad Al Bakhit (taekwondo).

95. Kazakhstan: Salamat Utarbayek, Aidar Kabimollayov, Almas Atayev (judo), Vladislav Poliakov (swimming), Dimitriy Torlopov (kayak), Yermak Kouketou, Nourbakhit Tengizbayev (wrestling), Ilsa Chernyshov (cycling), Dimitriy Gaug (triatln), Bakhtiyar Artayek, Bakhyt Sarsekbayek (boxing), Dimitry Katenberger (canoe), Yemar Yerimbetov, Timov Korbanbayek (gymnastics).

96. Kenya: Joshua Ndere Mkonjio (boxing), Brimin Kiprop Kipruto (athletics/ 3,000 metres steeplechase/ world champion), Kennedy Kenyatta (boxing),Catherine Ndereba (sportswoman/ marathon/ world gold medalist), Alfred Kirwa Yego (athletics/ 800m/ world champion), Luke Kibet ( athletics/marathon/ world champion),Suleyman Bilali (boxing).

97. Kiribati : Tekai Temake, Tito Teateau, David Katoatau (weightlifting).

98. Korea, North: Jong Chol, Ri Se Gwang (gymnastics), Kim Jong Su (shooting).

99. Korea, South: Choi Jung Sang (equestrian), Im Dong Hyn (archery), Lee Hyun-il (badminton), Song Hak Sung (boxing), Tae Hwan Park (swimming/ he's one of the best swimmers of the world), Hwang Kyung Seon (taekwondo/ world champion), Wang Ki-Chin (judo/ world champion), Dae Eun-Kim (gymnastics/ world champion), Kim Jung Sub, Han Tae Young, Kim Gwang Seok, Eun-Chol Park (wrestling), Jung Ji Hee (taekwondo), Jang Sun Jae, Park Sung Baek (cycling), Shin Eun Chol (rowing), Joo Se Hyk (table tennis), Kang Yong Hwan , Han Kyu Chol (aquatics), An Jap-sung, Lee Hyng-taik (tennis), Cho Kwan Hoon (diving).

100. Kuwait: Fehaid Al Deehani, Naser Meqlad (shooting).

101. Kyrgyzstan: Uran Khalilov, Nogouzbek Belekov, Ruslan Tumenbaev (wrestling), Evgeny Vakkev (cycling).

102. Laos: Sikham Vongpakoun (boxing).

103. Latvia : Aigars Fadeivs (track & field).

104. Lebanon: Jean-Claude Rabbath (track & field/ high jump/ Asian champion).

105. Lesotho: Tsotang Maine, Tumi Malefetsane (marathon), Poloko Makana (cycling).

106. Liberia: Fatimoh Muhammed (sportswoman/ athletics/ 800m/ she's one of the best runners in the Third World).

107. Libya: Ali Mabrouk (marathon), Mohammed Bensaleh (judo).

108. Liechtenstein: Oliver Geissmann (shooting).

109. Lithuania: Daina Gudzineviciute (sportswoman/ shooting/ Olympic gold medalist, 2000).

110. Luxembourg: Kim Kirchen (cycling).

111. Macedonia: Houqin Yang (weightlifting).

112. Madagascar: Joseph Berlionz Randhiamihaja (athletics/110m hurdles).

113. Malawi: Catherine Chikwakwa (sportswoman/ track & field).

114. Malaysia : Rossharisham Roslan, Yeoh Ken Nee (diving), Kien Keat Koo (badminton), Daniel William Bego (swimming), Josiah Ngo Onn Lam (cycling), Shu Wai Ng (gymnastics), Bom Heong Tan (badminton).

115. Maldives: Zahir Naseer (athletics/100m), Hassan Ahsraf, Mohamed Sharif (aquatics), Ali Rasheed, Mohamed Yasir (table tennis).

116. Mali : Daba Modibo Keita (taekwondo/ world champion, 2007).

117. Malta: Rebecca Madyan (sportswoman/ shooting).

118. Marshall Islands: Waylon Muller, Jeton Junior Anjain (wrestling).

119. Mauritania : Souleymane Ould Chebal (athletics).

120. Mauritius: Stephane Buckland (athletics/400m/ he's is one of the best sprinters of the world), Deenessing Baboolall, Stephan Beeharry, Edourd Clarisse (badminton),Richarno Colin, Giovanni Frontin, Brunu Julie (boxing).

121. Mexico : Paola Espinoza (sportswoman/diving) , Juan Barrios, Jose David Galvan (athletics), Juan Rene Serrano (archery), Simon Nizri (equestrian), Juan Jose Veloz Davila (swimming).

122. Micronesia: Manuel Minginfel (weightlifting).

123. Moldova: Oleg Moldovan (shooting).

124. Monaco: Jann Siccardi (judo).

125. Mongolia : Tsagaanbaatar Hskhbaatar, Nyamkhuu Damdinsuren (martial arts), Erdene Munkh Uranchimeg (boxing), Batzoring Buyanjav (wrestling).

126. Montenegro: Alesandar Radovic (water polo/ he's one of the best water polo players of the world).

127. Morocco: Hasna Benhassi (athletics/ 800m/ she is one one best Arab athletes).

128. Mozambique: Leonor Piaza (sportswoman/ track & field/ 800m/ African gold medalist).

129. Myanmar: Min Min, Nay La Kyaw (sailing), Yar Thet Pan (weightlifting/ Asian silver medalist, 2006).

130. Namibia: Friedhelm Ferdinand Sack (shooting), Alexander Ray (aquatics), Ermin van Wik (cycling), John Robert Honiball (gymnastics), Agnes Samaria (/track and field/ 800m/ she's one of the best runners of the world), Paulus Natangwe Ambunda, Jhannes Simon (boxing).

131. Nauru: Itte Detenamo, Yukio Peter (weightlifting).

132. Nepal: Deepak Bista (taekwondo).

133. Netherlands : Theo Boss (cycling/ European gold medalist ), Ruben Houkes (judo).

134. Neterherlands Antilles: Churandy Martina (athletics/100m, 200m).

135. New Zealand: Valerie Vili (track & field/ shot put/ world champion).

136. Nicaragua: Orlando Rizo (boxing).

137. Niger: Happiness Borutu (sportswoman/ wrestling/ African champion).

138. Nigeria: Olusoji Fasuba (athletics/ 100m, 200m), Muyideen Ganiyu (boxing).

139. Norway: Espen Berg-Knutsen (shooting)

140. Oman: Zahir Al Sinaide, Yousul Al Hashi (weightlifting), Khalifa Al Jabri (beach volleyball).

141. Pakistan : Irshad Ali (shooting).

142. Palau: Sean Lund, Franson Gibbons, Elvis Elwaiy (wrestling).

143. Palestine: Ahned Ashhab, Tammer Abusaada (taekwondo), Nader Almassri (athletics/1500m).

144. Panama: Irving Saladino (track & field/ long jump/ Saladino is one of the greatest long jumpers in the world), Edgar Crespo (swimming), Bayamo Kamani (athletics/ 400m hurdles/ he's one of the best hurdlers of the world).

145. Papua New Guinea: Ryan Pini (swimming/ he's one of the greatest swimmers in the Third World).

146. Paraguay: Victor Fatecha (track & field).

147. Peru: Peter Lopez (martial arts), Ines Melchor (sportswoman/track & field).

148. Philippines: Miguel Molina (aquatics), Cecil Mamiit, Frederick Taino (tennis), Harry Tanamor (boxing), John Baylon (judo), Ridgely Balladares, Romel Chavez (sailing).

149. Poland: Konrad Wasielewski (rowing)

150. Portugal : Nelson Evora (track & field/ triple jump/ the best triple jumper in the world).

151. Puerto Rico: Luis Rivera (gymnastics), McWilliams Arroyo (boxing), Hector Soto (indoor volleyball/ he is one of the greatest volleyball players in the world).

152. Qatar: Kwalia James Kurui (track & field/1,500m/ Arab champion), Abdulqader Hikamt Sarhan (taekwondo/Asian champion), Saif Saaeef Shaheen (athletics/ 3,000 metres steeplechase), Mubarak Hassan Shami (marathon/ world silver medalist, 2007), Daham Najm Bashir (athletics/Arab champion), Ali Yousuf Ahmad (equestrian).

153. Romania: Florin Georgian Mironcic (kayak), Diaconu Eusebiu (wrestling), Ionu%u0163 Gheorghe (boxing), Mariam Dragulescu (gymnastics).

154. Russia: Gleb Galperin (diving), Eduard Kokcharov (handball), Makhach Mourtazaliyev (wrestling/ European champion) ,Alan Doudayev (wrestling/ world champion),Vladimir Dyatchin (aquatics), Yekaterina Volkova (sportswoman/ athletics/ 3,000 metres steeplechase/ world champion).

155. Rwanda: Dieudonn Disi (track & field).

156. St. Kitts & Nevis: Kim Collins (track & field/100m, 200m).

157. St. Lucia: Leven Spencer (sportswoman/track & field/ high jump).

158. St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Kineke Alexander (athletics/400m).

159. Samoa : Niko Liulamaga (wrestling), Pualele Atoa Graig (archery), Nevo Ioane (weightlifting).

160. San Marino: Emanuela Felici (sportswoman/ shooting).

161. Sao Tome & Principe: Jose Miranda, Edsael Craid, Jose Amaro, Eloy Boa Morte (taekwondo), Fumilay Fonseca (sportswoman/ track & field), Nilton Tome (beach volleyball).

162. Saudi Arabia: Khaled Al Eid (equestrian), Ahmed Faiz Bin Marzouq (track & field), Ahmed Al Kudmani (swimming), Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Hamzi (judo).

163. Senegal : Ousmade Diatta (boxing), Hortense Diedhiou (sportswoman/ judo/ African champion).

164. Serbia : Jovan Popovic (rowing), Vanja Udovic (water polo), Ivan Miljkovic (indoor volleyball).

165. Seychelles: Cecile Laporte (sportswoman/ track & field/ Commonwealth bronze medalist, 2006).

166. Sierra Leone: Gibrilla Pato Bangura (track & field), Gibrilla Kanu, Allie Kargbo (boxing), Alhassan Bangura (cycling), Anthony Soalla-Bell (weightlifting).

167. Singapore: Tao Li (swimming/ Asian champion), Li Jiawei (table tennis/ Commonwealth gold medalist, 2006), Shaw Ming On (shooting).

168. Slovakia : Peter Korcok (athletics), Michal Martikan (kayak), Michal Riszdorfer (canoe), Matej Jurco , Peter Velits (cycling).

169. Slovenia: Iztok Cop (rowing), Raimond Debevec (shooting).

170. Solomon Islands: Michael Leoung (tennis /South Pacific gold medalist).

171. Somalia: Moumin Geele (athletics).

172. South Africa: Gerhard Zanberg, Jackson Chauke (boxing), Roland Schoeman (swimming), Gerald Mayer (wrestling).

173. Spain:Jose Antonio Ramos (taekwondo), Gemma Mengual, Andrea Fuentes (sportswomen/synchronized swimming).

174. Sri Lanka: Susanthika Jayasinghe (track & field/ 100m, 200m/ she's one of the best sprinters in the Third World), Damika Silva, Jude Perera (beach volleyball).

175. Sudan: Yamile Aldama (sportswoman/athletics/triple jump/ African champion).

176. Suriname : Cornelis Siba (track & field).

177. Swaziland: Shmanga Shiba (boxing).

178. Sweden: Carolina Kluft (sportswoman/athletics/ heptathlon/ European champion), Jonas Edman (shooting).

179. Switzerland: Fabian Cancellara (cycling), Michal Arsermet (shooting).

180. Syria: Ahed Joughili (weightlifting), Naser Al Shami (boxing),Rafd Zyad Almasri (swimming/ Asian champion).

181. Tajikistan : Yusup Abdisalanov (wrestling), Dilshod Nazarov (track & field), Djakhon Kurbunov (boxing), Rasul Boqiev (judo), Shokirjov Rajabov (taekwondo).

182. Tanzania: Samson Ramadhani Nyonyi (athletics/Commonwealth gold medalist, 2006).

183. Thailand: Vasavat Samswang , Nattapong Tewawetchapong (taekwondo), Sitthisak Suphalak (weightlifting), Manus Boonjumnong (boxing), Wiradech Kothny (fencing), Anupong Thainjam, Ruthtanapohol Theppibal (rowing), Jakkrit Panichpatikon (shooting), Sanchat Ratiwatana, Danai Udomchoke,Sanchai Ratiwatana (tennis), Navee Tamsoontorn (sailing).

184. Timor-Leste:Edelijo Mesquita (weightlifting), Fat Batista, Awarl Verdinal (taekwondo), Alin Soares (athletics), Lorenco Brites (marathon), Antonio Xavier, Constancio da Silva (table tennis), Fredinand da Costa (martial arts).

185. Togo: Sandrine Thiebaud-Kangni (sportswoman/track & field).

186. Tonga : Epoki Faka'osi (judo).

187. Trinidad & Tobago: Roger Daniel (shooting), George Bovell (swimming/ Olympic bronze medalist, 2004).

188. Tunisia: Shili Alaa (boxing), Hatem Ghoula (track & Field/ 20 kilometres race wak), Rached Merdassi (boxing), Ziad Ekrem (wrestling).

189. Turkey : Ramazan Shahin (wrestling), Elvan Abeylegesse (sportswoman /athletics/10,000m).

190. Turkmenistan: Igor Pirekeev (shooting).

191. Tuvalu : Lagona Esau (weightlifting), Iliala Fakatokaga (boxing).

192. Uganda: Martin Mubiru (boxing), Moses Ndiema Kipsiro (athletics/5,000m), Alex Malinga (marathon).

193. Ukraine: Oleg Lisogor (swimming), Olena Kostevych (sportswoman/shooting/ Olympic champion).

194. United Arab Emirates: Ahmad Dhali, Saeed Almaktoum (shooting), Faisal Al Kutbi (wrestling).

195. United Kingdom: Christine Ohuruogu (sportswoman/athletics/400m/ world champion), Chris Hoy (cycling), Ian Peel (shooting), Luis Smith (gymnastics), Frankie Gavin (boxing).

196. United States: Chris Colwill (diving), Justin Spring (gymnastics), Eli Bremer (modern pentathlon), Tony Azevedo (water polo/ American champion), Bernard Lagat (track & field/ 1,500m/ world champion), Tim Duncan (basketball), James Pedro (judo), Steven Lopez (taekwondo/world champion), Brad Walker (athletics/pole vault/ world champion), Freddy Adu (soccer), Christopher Liwski , Ryan Miller (indoor volleyball), Paul Foerster (sailing), Matthew Emmons (shooting), Shaw Johnson (sportswoman/gymnastics/world champion), Jeremy Wariner (athletics/400m/ world champion).

197. United States Virgin Islands: Laverne Jones (sportswoman/ athletics).

198. Uruguay: Paul Alexander Kutscher (swimming), Andres Silva (athletics).

199. Uzbekistan: Vladimir Tuychiev (cycling), Bohodirjan Sultanov, Elshod Rasulov, Ruslam Saidov (boxing),Vadim Menkov (canoe), Vladimir Chernenko (rowing),Dilshod Mansourov (wrestling), Ruslan Naurzaliyev (rowing).

200. Vanuatu: Anolyn Lulu, Kerry Ann Mok, Priscila Tommy, Pareina Matariki (sportswomen/ table tennis/ South Pacific gold medalist, 2007).

201. Venezuela: Albert Altes Subirats (swimming), Jonathan Suarez (cycling).

202. Vietnam: Hoang Anh Tuan (weightlifting),Nguyen Tien Minh (badminton), Nguyen Hoai Thu (taekwondo), Doan Kien Quoc (table tennis), Hoang Ha Giang (taekwondo).

203. Yemen: Marwan Saeeed Abdulhameed (weightlifting).

204. Zambia: Hastings Bwalya (boxing/ African champion).

205. Zimbabwe: Mike Fokoroni (marathon), Kirsty Coventry (sportswoman/ swimming/ FINA World Championships-silver medal).

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: He is a freelance writer. Alejandro is of Italian, African and Peruvian ancestry. He has published more than seventy-five research paper in English, and more than twenty in Spanish, concerning the world issues, olympic sports, countries, and tourism. His next essay is called "The Dictator and Alicia Alonso". He is an expert on foreign affairs. Alejandro is the first author who has published a world-book encyclopedia in Latin America.

He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Jos Gamarra (former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee ,1970- 1982), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). Alejandro said: "The person who I admire the most is Jos Gamarra . He devoted his professional and personal life to sport. Jos played an important role in the promotion of Olympism in Bolivia -it is one of the Third World`s poorest countries- and Latin America. His biography is interesting". The sportspeople he most admire is Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. "This African-American sportswoman is my idol... "

Top 5 Girls High School Volleyball Secrets That Make a BIG Difference With Your Serve Receive

The serve receive is the key to running your team's offense. Here are 5 "little" girls volleyball tips that will make a BIG difference in your volleyball passing performance.

1) Keep a straight platform, by keeping elbows straight.

One of the biggest mistakes players make when passing is bending their elbows to pass the ball. If you review the photos of elite players (check out Danielle Scott passing on my MySpace/volleyball voices site) both indoor volleyball volleyball drills sand volleyball players when volleyball drills serve receive you will notice that their "platforms" aka the inside of their forearms that they present... are so straight as a board you could use their arms as a flat table to eat on.

Bent elbows means less ball accuracy while straight arms gives more ball control and accuracy to guide the ball to the "setter" target.

2) Track the ball visually all the way into your arms.

There are a lot of things to look at when the server has the ball just before the ref blows the whistle. There can be a lot of things to be distracted by if you don't learn to concentrate and narrow your focus. What do you focus on? Once the server takes the volleyball in their hands and positions themselves to indicate where and how they are going to serve and then they start bouncing it in anticipation of serving it...at this point most elite athletes I know focus 125% ONLY on the ball in the server's hands. From this point on your eyes and mind should see and focus on nothing but the ball ALL THE way INTO your arms.

Track the ball all the way into your arms visually ...so that you can see your straight platform.

3) Don't break your arms apart.

No matter how hard or easy the serve...keep your arms together when you pass. Fight to maintain good passing technique. I'm guilty of committing this error when I know its and easy pass or free ball. You have to fight the temptation of breaking your arms together especially when you are passing on the move. That's why it's important to pass with your feet first, get stopped then use the correct technique. don't be lazy just because it seems like an easy pass to make. (see #5)

4) Pass with both feet on the volleyball court floor.

Don't jump bump. Very easy reasoning...when you are in the air you have much less to no control of your body and/or the ball but if your feet remain on the ground you can make small adjustments (maybe an extra step forward or backward if needed) to control the outcome of the serve receive 99% better.

5) Pass with your feet (first) not with your arms.

This sounds a little tricky to understand but what this means is that you need to get into the habit of getting to the ball first by getting your feet behind the ball, first, no matter where it is. There is a drill that really illustrates how this should look. A player starts in the left back serve receive position...another one can be in the right back position as well. A coach from mid court on the other side of the net will serve a ball anywhere to the left side of the court. The left side passer has to keep her/his arms behind his back at all times and run to get his/her feet to the ball in time to allow the ball to take ONE bounce through her legs.

To make the drill more challenging the server backs up to make full court serves. Short serves are really interesting as one passer has to cover the entire half of her court getting to each served ball with her arms behind her back.

Try this drill with a teammate or suggest it to your coach. As a team drill after the first person goes on the left then the server serves to the right alternating players as they run behind the last person in line to try again. This is a very effective foot speed drill which I've had both American and Italian Pro team coaches run in my practices.

Aside from this drill if you are having a hard time getting your feet to the ball to serve receive accurately..then here's an extra tip...work on your foot speed and agility drills. This is why your warmups have (should have) a lot of short sprints forward and backward and agility foot work drills at the beginning of every practice...precisely for this reason so you can increase your reactive speed towards serve receive and defensive balls. Work on foot speed and foot work so that you can get to the ball fast and then pass the ball.

April Chapple created Volleyball Voices.com where high school and club female volleyball players learn about the indoor volleyball game and its heroes, with news and stories of college and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching information, volleyball pictures and videos.

The former USA Volleyball national team member and pro indoor/beach volleyball professional is a regular columnist for the AVCA Coaching Volleyball magazine, the USA Volleyball magazine and the Active.com volleyball newsletter in addition to writing numerous articles on playing and coaching elite volleyball.

Author of the upcoming ebook "How to Stop Serving Like a Wimp" April can be reached at april@volleyballvoices.com

Pro Beach Volleyball - Womens Beach Volleyball Champions Coaching on Pro Tour

The summer of 2006 was noticeable for the depth of Female Volleyball Coaches, all former Champions who returned volleyball drills the beach to coach some of the AVP Beach Volleyball Tournament Tour's promising womens volleyball teams. Here is a breakdown of who's coaching beach volleyball ....

Liz Masakayan

Liz Masakayan is coaching Elaine Youngs and Rachel Wacholder. Liz still looks like a regular top 5 competitor on the tour. Still gorgeous, Liz and I caught up for a few minutes before she had to get busy videotaping, keeping stats and coaching EY and Rachel against Jen Pavley and her partner Paula Roca at the the first AVP tournament this summer in Fort Lauderdale.

Liz was named to USA Volleyball's All ERA Beach Team volleyball drills to 2003. According to USA Volleyball.org with her partner Karolyn Kirby, Liz compiled 29 titles which ranks third on the all time women's team title list. "She also won pro beach titles with five other players (Elaine Youngs, nine; Linda Chisholm, six; Dianne DeNecochea, one; Bev Lidyoff, one; and Anna Prousalis, one. Every competitive year Liz won a player's award including Most Valuable Player of the WPVA in 1992, co-MVP in 1993, in 1991 and 1992 she was the "Top Defensive Player", voted "Best Hitter" in 1993 and 1994, and was the Most Inspirational award-winner in 1995 when she was recovering from her fifth of sixth knee surgeries. "Masakayan was a member of the USA Women's National Team (indoor) for five years and was a starter at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games."

Karolyn Kirby

Karolyn Kirby and I shared a laugh about females athletes and females in general with their multiple personalities before she went to coach her team of Alicia Polzin and Denise Johns. "Kirby has won more event titles (67) than any other women on the pro beach circuits" (AVP) Denise is quoted as calling Karolyn "the greatest coach ever".

According to USAVolleyball.org "With a total of $681,471 Kirby ranks sixth having played in 187 pro beach events to rank sixth overall. Kirby, who won 61 domestic and six international titles, posted 115 podium placements and 124 "final four" appearances in her career.

To list just a few of the titles given to Kirby "she was named the WPVA's Most Valuable Player in 1990, 1991 and 1994, co-MVP in 1993, Top Offensive Player in 1990, Best Setter in 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the league's Best Hitter in 1992". Kirby is a member of the All ERA Beach Team 1998- 2003.

Danalee Bragado

Danalee is coaching a number of players on the tour. One of her successful teams is the pair of Suzanne Stonebarger and Michelle More.

Suzanne and Michelle were seeded 20th in the first tournament of the season and finished in an amazing 5th place! Obviously the work they did this winter paid off as well as the coaching! Look out for the new kids in town!

Bragado earned $25,250 in 14 events in 2001 with two FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour "challenger" Silver Medal finishes with Ali Wood (Greece) and Lia Young (Thailand). Bragado had her best season on the FIVB Tour in 2001 with $18,950 in earnings. Bragado and Wood placed fifth in the 2001 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Austria. Bragado teamed with Pat Keller to finish second in a 1996 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event in Japan where they dropped the finals to Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst of Australia. Bragado and Gracie Santana teamed to capture the Gold Medal at the 1998 Swiss challenger event

Angela Rock

Angela Rock, who doesn't look any different from when she played is currently coaching one of my favorite teams of Diane DeNocochea and Tammy Liley Leibl.

These guys, Tammy and Diane are both mothers of two children each and just by watching them play you would never guess that there biggest problem is to coordinate their schedules to find time to practice together with each other. Former US National Team and college teammates of mine, these two have great chemistry on the court and continuously finish in top 5 teams on the tour..

A member of the US ALL ERA Beach Volleyball Team in 1998 - 2003 Angela Rock, according to USA Volleyball.org was one of the top servers of all time in women's pro beach history, "Rock ranks among the all-time leaders in tournaments played (168), titles (27) and earnings ($489,725). During her career, Rock posted 81 podium placements and 104 "final four" appearances. Rock captured pro beach titles with five different partners (Karolyn Kirby, 18; Nancy Reno, four; Linda Hanley, three; Jackie Silva, one; and Holly McPeak, one). Rock won the WPVA's Ace Awards in 1992, 1995 and 1996 and was the tour's Top Hitter in 1991. She also was an indoor Olympian at the 1988 Seoul Games.'

April Chapple created Volleyball Voices.com where high school and club female volleyball players learn about the indoor volleyball game and its heroes, with news and stories of college and women's pro volleyball players, self-coaching information, volleyball pictures and videos.

The former USA Volleyball national team member and pro indoor/beach volleyball professional is a regular columnist for the AVCA Coaching Volleyball magazine, the USA Volleyball magazine and the Active.com volleyball newsletter in addition to writing numerous articles on playing and coaching elite volleyball.

Author of the upcoming ebook "How to Stop Serving Like a Wimp" April can be reached at april@volleyballvoices.com

All About San Diego

Voted best year-round weather in the world, San Diego is home to the almost eternal sunshine (without Jim Carrey's "Spotless Mind"). It is never too hot and never too cold in California's second largest city. The blue skies here keep watch on the 70 miles of beaches and the area is bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains.

With so much beachfront and plenty of cultural diversity spanning a variety of neighborhoods, you'll find everything from alternative and casual Pacific Beach to glitzy La Jolla; nonstop action in the Downtown Gaslamp Quarter to the "laid back" come-as-you-are Mission Beach district.

Surfing, skateboarding and beach volleyball have been cultivated in Southern California, so it's a definite way of life and very much a part of the San Diego culture. In this city, there are more lineups (groups of surfers waiting to catch waves for all you posers) in the water, than clouds in the sky. You'll also notice that the carefree attitude of the surfer crowd spills out from the ocean and in to town - and it's infectious, so roll with it!

With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches and major attractions, San Diego is known as one of the best tourist destinations. From thrilling ocean adventures to chilled-out siestas under the palm trees, this city has a way of schooling folks on a new way of life - one brimming with fun and beauty, among other things.

Located on the Pacific Ocean and with close proximity to Mexico, San Diego restaurants are recognized for and boast some of the West Coast's finest seafood and authentic Mexican fare. A number of other cuisines and dining options can also be discovered in the various neighborhoods throughout the city - spanning from Asian and Italian, to German and Californian Nuevo.

San Diego's nightlife heats up after dark. From casual seaside nightspots to upscale dance clubs, there are a number of great places to unwind or to get your night sizzling. Sports bars, beach bars, trendy hotspots or dive bars - whatever you decide on, a frosty margarita, icy martini or cold cerveza will be waiting to invigorate.

For most, downtown's historic Gaslamp Quarter (a volleyball drills block historic neighborhood) is usually the destination of choice since its San Diego's entertainment hub - featuring nearly 40 nightspots, close to 100 volleyball drills restaurants, live theaters, art galleries, world-class shopping and rooftop lounges with spectacular views of the city. For others, the alternative options are at beach bars, live entertainment centers and dive bars throughout the other neighborhoods that specialize in SoCal kitschiness!

So, whether you're interested in savoring the sights, smells and flavors of San Diego's eateries or shakin' what yo mama gave ya' at the trendiest hotspots, or whether you're craving a filet mignon or a fish taco, you can find a place to match your mood and style. Stay Classy San Diego!

Visit journeyPod for the scoop on things to do in San Diego. journeyPod has information on the trendiest restaurants and bars, hip nightlife, and luxury four-star hotels.

Beach Theme Parties

Want to make your party unique? How about throwing volleyball drills party with a Beach Theme to make a lasting impression on your guests? Out with the old and in with the new, when planning a party it's time to start thinking outside of the box for new and fresh ideas to bring to your parties, and there is nothing better to do that than with a theme.

Whether you are throwing a party at the beach or at your home with a beach theme, I am going to give you some great ideas to on how to implement a beach theme to the festivities.

There are many areas to a party that we can apply a beach theme to, including decorations, food and music, other areas are a beach theme dress code. Let's explore in detail a few of the areas to get your creative juices flowing.

When sending out your invitations, you can start the beach theme at this point, try making the invitations in the shape of a palm tree, or doing some cut and pasting to create a unique invitation that will make your guests want to attend your party. For a really unique idea, how about using real coconuts with a message on them for a memorable hand delivered invitation.

On your invitations make it a requirement for guests to wear bathing suits and flip flops as a dress code, you can make it optional for the guests who are a little shy but still want to attend. Having a dress code of bathing suits will get your guests into the beach theme frame of mind even before they leave their house.

Another area to apply the beach theme and one of the most obvious is decorations. Try scattering sea shells around the party site, some well placed surfboards around the party area is also a great decoration idea, and will give your party that unique look. Inflatable palm trees are also easy to come across in party supply shops or online, these will also make good volleyball drills around the party site. If your event is being held outside, lit tiki torches around the perimeter creates a great tropical atmosphere.

Next lets discuss the topic of food for your beach themed party. The drinks that come to mind when I think of a beach are Mai Tais, Strawberry Daiquiris, or Hurricanes, don't forget to add the little umbrellas in your cocktails. For the non-alcohol guests tropical punch with fresh fruit floating in it is a big hit.

Fruit kabobs are always a great idea to create a tropical flair, chips and dip are great for all occasions. If you really want to get adventurous, roasted pork for sandwiches will create that Hawaiian Luau feeling.

When your guests start arriving have some back ground music of ocean waves and sea gull cries, or how about some Beach Boys or B-52's. You can even have a Beach Blanket Bingo movie on the Television going with the volume turned down.

Some activities that will keep your guests entertained are volleyball tournaments if your event is being held outdoors. How about a game of limbo to see how low you can go! Musical chairs, or Twister are also great ideas to keep your guests busy at your beach themed party.

Don't just throw the normal boring party, make it exciting with a Beach Theme and you will be surprised at the amount of guests you will have, all having a great time, and remembering the fun they had for a lifetime.

Check out more great ideas for planning a Party Themes Beach from his website at http://theknowledgesource.org/decorationsmain/partythemesbeach/partythemesbeach.html. Charles Hamel is a free lance writer residing with his wife and two children in Hokkaido, Japan.

Strength Training for the Young Athlete: The Benefits Will Last a Lifetime!

Strength Training is not training to see how much weight one can push around the gym. Simply stated, Strength Training is a method of conditioning that will increase an individuals ability to handle the physical demands of activity. Strength Training may involve the use of weights or other external resistance (bands, medicine balls, pulleys, etc.), it may involve body weight (push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, etc.,) and it may involve the use of body weight and ground forces (skipping, hopping, jumping, etc.)

There is an interesting trend in the physical activity of todays youth, a trend that makes the integration of a strength training program more important than ever. Today, kids are specializing in a particular volleyball drills at an early age. Kids are picking one sport and playing it year round. Because of this specialization and the fact that kids dont engage in free play the way they used to, young athletes today arent developing the fundamental motor skills, and musculoskeletal balance necessary for peak performance and injury prevention.

We all want our young athlete to be as successful on the field as possible. Coaches spend a great deal of time with young athletes on skills and drills. Parents enroll children in speed and agility camps and provide private instruction hoping to develop a better player. While skills and drills and sport volleyball drills instruction may make the player more proficient kicking a soccer ball or throwing a baseball, chances are they wont make them a better overall athlete, and they certainly wont decrease the chance of sport related injury.

Repetitive training of only specific sport related movements tends not only to limit performance, but sets the stage for faulty movement patterns and overuse injury. In most sports, common sites for overuse injuries include the heel, ankle, and knees. You can add shoulders and elbows to that list for the young baseball, tennis, and volleyball player. Well designed Strength Training programs will not only make muscles stronger but will strengthen other supporting tissues like bone, ligaments and tendons thus decreasing the chance of acute injuries such and sprains and ligament tears.

Health organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), have helped put to rest the long held belief that strength training for children is unsafe and ineffective. These organizations now support the participation of children in appropriately designed and competently supervised strength training programs.

At what age can a child begin a strength training program? If a child has the capacity to follow directions, then the child is old enough to follow a properly designed and supervised age-appropriate strength training program. Protect your young athletes future and let them bring their game to the next level.

Bill Scibetta, RN, NSCA-CPT
Bill is the founder and President of Precision Fitness Personal Training Centers in the Charlotte, NC area and co-author of the book Play Better Longer! Peak Performance and Injury Prevention for Golf. Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer. After spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance.