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FERNANDA VENTURINIBorn: October 24, 1970 in São Paulo, Brazil
Enshrined: 2022 Country: Brazil Category: Indoor Player |
BIOGRAPHY
When speaking about the history of Brazilian women’s volleyball, it takes a lot for someone to stand out. But Fernanda Venturini does just that.
Regarded as one of the most important and influential players in Brazilian volleyball, if not the world, Venturini is a four-time Olympian and considered one of the world’s best setters.
She started playing volleyball at age 11 on medical advice to help correct a scoliosis problem. She made her debut in 1984 and became a world champion for the first time in 1987. She competed in her first Olympics in Seoul in 1988 but at that time competed as an outside hitter and passer, not a setter. After a sixth-place finish at the Games, Venturini was convinced to change her position to setter due to her refined techniques, skill and fundamental precision.
That change proved successful as she helped the Brazilian women’s national team capture the 1991 South American gold medal while directing the offense, as well as finish fourth at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
At the 1994 FIVB World Grand Prix, Venturini won her first title with head coach and fellow 2022 International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee Bernardo Rezende and was named Best Setter at the event. The team continued its streak, capturing three silvers at the 1994 FIVB World Championships, the 1995 Grand Prix and the 1995 FIVB World Cup, gold at the 1996 Grand Prix and a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
After retiring from the national team to focus on professional volleyball, Venturini was the only Brazilian athlete named among the top four greatest women’s volleyball players of the 20th Century, as recognized by the FIVB in 2000. With this induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, she joins all three players on that Top Four list, as Russia’s Inna Ryskal was inducted in 2000, Cuba’s Regla Torres was inducted in 2001, and China’s Lang Ping was enshrined in 2002.
But Venturini’s career wasn’t done. She continued in professional volleyball, capturing yet another Superliga title and being named Best Setter and Best Player. She rejoined the Brazilian National Team in 2002, leading the team to a silver medal at the 2003 World Cup and the Grand Prix medal the following year. Brazil finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and Venturini retired after capturing her 12th Superliga title.
But she interrupted her retirement for a second time, joining a European professional team formed by stars from around the world, leading her teammates to victory in the Queens Cup and Spanish Superliga. She was named Best Setter of the event.
All-told, Venturini’s teams competed in four Olympic Games, winning bronze in 1996, as well as 12 Brazilian Championships, two World Championships, three Grand Prix titles and countless other events. She has played in more than 342 international matches and has multiple recognitions as Best Setter and Best Player.
For her success and contributions to Brazilian volleyball and her impact on the world volleyball community, we are proud to induct Fernanda Venturini into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as a Player.
Regarded as one of the most important and influential players in Brazilian volleyball, if not the world, Venturini is a four-time Olympian and considered one of the world’s best setters.
She started playing volleyball at age 11 on medical advice to help correct a scoliosis problem. She made her debut in 1984 and became a world champion for the first time in 1987. She competed in her first Olympics in Seoul in 1988 but at that time competed as an outside hitter and passer, not a setter. After a sixth-place finish at the Games, Venturini was convinced to change her position to setter due to her refined techniques, skill and fundamental precision.
That change proved successful as she helped the Brazilian women’s national team capture the 1991 South American gold medal while directing the offense, as well as finish fourth at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.
At the 1994 FIVB World Grand Prix, Venturini won her first title with head coach and fellow 2022 International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee Bernardo Rezende and was named Best Setter at the event. The team continued its streak, capturing three silvers at the 1994 FIVB World Championships, the 1995 Grand Prix and the 1995 FIVB World Cup, gold at the 1996 Grand Prix and a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
After retiring from the national team to focus on professional volleyball, Venturini was the only Brazilian athlete named among the top four greatest women’s volleyball players of the 20th Century, as recognized by the FIVB in 2000. With this induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, she joins all three players on that Top Four list, as Russia’s Inna Ryskal was inducted in 2000, Cuba’s Regla Torres was inducted in 2001, and China’s Lang Ping was enshrined in 2002.
But Venturini’s career wasn’t done. She continued in professional volleyball, capturing yet another Superliga title and being named Best Setter and Best Player. She rejoined the Brazilian National Team in 2002, leading the team to a silver medal at the 2003 World Cup and the Grand Prix medal the following year. Brazil finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and Venturini retired after capturing her 12th Superliga title.
But she interrupted her retirement for a second time, joining a European professional team formed by stars from around the world, leading her teammates to victory in the Queens Cup and Spanish Superliga. She was named Best Setter of the event.
All-told, Venturini’s teams competed in four Olympic Games, winning bronze in 1996, as well as 12 Brazilian Championships, two World Championships, three Grand Prix titles and countless other events. She has played in more than 342 international matches and has multiple recognitions as Best Setter and Best Player.
For her success and contributions to Brazilian volleyball and her impact on the world volleyball community, we are proud to induct Fernanda Venturini into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as a Player.
