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RICARDO SANTOSBorn: January 6, 1975 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Enshrined: 2021 Country: Brazil Category: Male Beach Player |
BIOGRAPHY
Ricardo Santos, known worldwide as simply Ricardo, started playing beach volleyball in 1994, in Salvador, Brazil, without ever having played indoor volleyball.
A few short years later, he moved to João Pessoa, to start training with beach veteran and 2019 IVHF Inductee Zé Marco. The pair won Gold at the Mar del Plata Open in Argentina – just their second FIVB event quickly jumping up the ranks on the world stage and finishing no lower than fifth in 34 international competitions from 1998-2000. The “Block Machine,” as Ricardo was quickly becoming known by, earned 24 podium finishes at the FIVB World Tour during his partnership with Zé Marco and a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Ricardo then paired with 2017 IVHF Inductee Jose Loiola to start the 2001 beach season. With the high flying Loiola and the presence of Ricardo at the net, the dynamic pair finished strong in Grand Slams earning 12 podium finishes in 36 tournaments of the FIVB World Tour. The duo would part ways in August of 2002, though, and Ricardo would form the most victorious team in the world with 2016 IVHF Inductee Emanuel Rego.
Ricardo and Emanuel would see their partnership through two Olympic Games and find success at every turn with an incredible 62 podium finishes and 36 gold medals in international competition during their partnership. Most notably, the pair won the 2003 FIVB World Championship and the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Ricardo completed the Olympic trifecta with a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Ricardo would qualify for the 2012 London Olympics with partner Pedro Cunha - just missing the podium with a fifth place finish.
A highly decorated player, Ricardo was FIVB Tour Champion six times, won FIVB Team of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007 all with Emanuel, named FIVB Most Outstanding twice, FIVB Best Offensive Player three times, and FIVB Best Hitter in 2005. Ricardo is one of the best players to play the game - with 56 Gold, 30 Silver, and 24 Bronze medals on the FIVB World Tour netting nearly $2,000,000 in prize money.
After playing internationally for over two decades and participating in four Olympics, Ricardo made his debut at the AVP, making an immediate statement that he can still compete. The beach volleyball legend won the AVP’s Newcomer of the Year Award in 2017 and is still dominating at the net as one of the oldest players on the Tour.
For his efficiency at the net and incredible sustained success at the highest level over so many years, we are proud to induct Ricardo “Block Machine” Santos to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as a beach player.
A few short years later, he moved to João Pessoa, to start training with beach veteran and 2019 IVHF Inductee Zé Marco. The pair won Gold at the Mar del Plata Open in Argentina – just their second FIVB event quickly jumping up the ranks on the world stage and finishing no lower than fifth in 34 international competitions from 1998-2000. The “Block Machine,” as Ricardo was quickly becoming known by, earned 24 podium finishes at the FIVB World Tour during his partnership with Zé Marco and a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Ricardo then paired with 2017 IVHF Inductee Jose Loiola to start the 2001 beach season. With the high flying Loiola and the presence of Ricardo at the net, the dynamic pair finished strong in Grand Slams earning 12 podium finishes in 36 tournaments of the FIVB World Tour. The duo would part ways in August of 2002, though, and Ricardo would form the most victorious team in the world with 2016 IVHF Inductee Emanuel Rego.
Ricardo and Emanuel would see their partnership through two Olympic Games and find success at every turn with an incredible 62 podium finishes and 36 gold medals in international competition during their partnership. Most notably, the pair won the 2003 FIVB World Championship and the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Ricardo completed the Olympic trifecta with a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. Ricardo would qualify for the 2012 London Olympics with partner Pedro Cunha - just missing the podium with a fifth place finish.
A highly decorated player, Ricardo was FIVB Tour Champion six times, won FIVB Team of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007 all with Emanuel, named FIVB Most Outstanding twice, FIVB Best Offensive Player three times, and FIVB Best Hitter in 2005. Ricardo is one of the best players to play the game - with 56 Gold, 30 Silver, and 24 Bronze medals on the FIVB World Tour netting nearly $2,000,000 in prize money.
After playing internationally for over two decades and participating in four Olympics, Ricardo made his debut at the AVP, making an immediate statement that he can still compete. The beach volleyball legend won the AVP’s Newcomer of the Year Award in 2017 and is still dominating at the net as one of the oldest players on the Tour.
For his efficiency at the net and incredible sustained success at the highest level over so many years, we are proud to induct Ricardo “Block Machine” Santos to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as a beach player.
