Age is no barrier for forties in the volleyball Superliga

Walewska, 42, Juciely, 41, Carol Gattaz, 40, Marlon, 44, William, 42, Murilo, 40. These athletes have defied age to remain protagonists in their volleyball teams during the competition of Superliga 2021/2022.

Longevity is not easily achieved in volleyball. In addition to physical wear and tear, the rosters are renewed and competition is fierce in the country’s clubs, one of the greatest powers in the world.

“Since I was 35 years old, I plan to play only two more seasons. When we reach the end and understand that we had a fulfilling season, the feeling of a mission accomplished generates satisfaction”, says setter Marlon, from Farma Condé/São José.

He retired from the team earlier this month and is expected to return in January. Marlon developed Idiopathic Ulcerative Colitis (UCR), an autoimmune disease, and spent a few days in a hospital in São José dos Campos.

“I say there are a few kilometers to go [para encerrar a carreira], but it won’t be this time. I’m going to recover and I need at least one more clean season, because this one wasn’t [em razão do afastamento]”, it says.

World champion with the national team in 2010, the setter was born in Guaíra (PR) and left his parents’ house, descendants of Japanese and Arabs, at age 13, to practice the sport.

For him, the training contributed to his performance. “I grew up in the Japanese colony, where there is great concern with discipline,” he says. “We have alcoholic athletes, smokers, and they might not get that basic essence with their family.”

Of the veterans mentioned at the beginning, only Walewska, central of Dentil Praia Clube, told the leaf which will end his career at the end of this season, in May 2022.

“The physical appearance is the result of a dedication of years, longevity is not built without sacrifice and understanding of the body, and that’s what I’m reaping now”, says Walewska, gold medalist with the national team at the Beijing-2008 Games and bronze in Sydney-2000.

The routine usually involves two training sessions (physical and technical) per day, lasting two hours each, in addition to an average of two matches per week. Among the measures to withstand the challenge are a balanced diet, rest and a good night’s sleep, in addition to yoga and physiotherapy sessions.

“From a very early age I watched the 1996 generation, which was very important in my training as an athlete and as a person. This generation defined for me what it took to become a top athlete, they gave me unforgettable examples of commitment and dedication” , says Walewska.

The generation, mentioned by the central, won the bronze medal at the Atlanta-1996 Olympics, the first in the women’s team at the Games, and gathered names such as Ana Moser, Ana Paula, Fernanda Venturini, Leila and Virna, under the command of coach Bernardinho .

Carol Gattaz managed to fulfill her dream of going to the Olympics this year in Tokyo. Dismissed in the editions of Beijing-2008 and London-2012, she was called up at 39 years old and turned 40 on July 27, on Japanese soil.

The central of Itambé/Minas says she is living the best moment of her career and was praised — mainly for her disposition on the court — by coach José Roberto Guimarães, of the Brazilian team.

“I am very proud to have become the oldest athlete in Brazil to win an Olympic medal. I was runner-up [perdeu a decisão do ouro para os Estados Unidos] I was 40 years old, but my joy and my dedication on the court were that of a 20-year-old girl”, says Gattaz.

Before disappointed for not having gone to the Games, Carol fell into discouragement and feels that Minas “rescued” her. She was signed by the club in the 2014/2015 season.

“I had a very important turn in the bracket when I came to Minas. Here I felt welcomed, worked a lot and was able to achieve my best physical shape. Every year I feel that I take care of myself even more. And that includes physical training, within court, rest, food, yoga, everything,” he says.

For Juciely Barreto, central Sesc/Flamengo, the fact that she debuted in volleyball at the age of 17 contributed to her longevity, in addition to considering herself a disciplined and passionate athlete.

“I used to feel a little bit annoyed for a while because I’m getting older and living among so many young players. Today that feeling has totally changed. I’m proud to mention my age,” she says. “I was much more emotionless and today I am more reason. The role within the team has changed over the years.”

Murilo is the only medallion on the Sesi/São Paulo team, one of the most victorious teams on the circuit and which is undergoing a process of reformulation, with opportunities for young athletes. His presence is a bet of the club, which entrusted him with the role of captaining the squad with little shooting.

“Experience only helps me in this process and also helps the technician [Anderson Rodrigues], giving feedback to him. I want to contribute by transmitting what I went through over my 20-year career, with spells in Italian volleyball, national team, the Olympics, for these 18, 19-year-old kids,” he says.

In 2017, he changed his role, from pointer to libero, due to a series of injuries, with shoulder and elbow surgeries. Last year, he returned to his home position. “This adaptation is being a little difficult, especially with the impact at the time of the jump, but I’m looking for my physical improvement.”

Two-time world champion (2006 and 2010) and with two Olympic silver medals in his curriculum, in Beijing-2008 and London-2012, Murilo says that the evolution of medicine in sports and the change in the level of training have been crucial to extend this trajectory in the block. “I’ll play as long as I can, as long as I’m feeling useful on the court and having fun.”

William Arjona, on the other hand, has the chance to fight for his seventh title in the Superliga and leads the Fiat/Gerdau/Minas team, first placed and only undefeated in the competition. With 11 wins in 11 duels, the team has 33 points, ten more than the second place, Cruzeiro (eight wins and two losses).

“For me, it’s an honor to defend the most traditional club in Brazilian volleyball. It would be a void in my career if I couldn’t wear the Minas shirt”, defined the 2016 Olympic champion.

Evandro Guerra, 39, is the next to enter his 40s. The opposite of Vôlei Renata/Campinas will have his birthday on the 27th of this month.

“I feel proud when they approach my age, because I’m having a successful and long career. I’m having fun with Campinas, we won the Paulista title and we’re going to fight for the Superliga”, says he, another Olympic champion in Rio. is embarrassed, I stop.”