One of Russia’s most iconic volleyball players in the last 20 years has retired.
The only volleyball player in the world (and possible the only athlete) who has played in 6 consecutive Olympics has retired. Evgenia Artamonova Estes, one of the world’s best outside hitters our generation has ever seen, has decided to live in United States to be with her husband (assistant coach at a university) and son.
Zhenya sought for her club’s permission to release from her contract which Team Uralochka willingly obliged.
In an interview released by her club team, the 37 year old and 3 time Olympic silver medalist shared her plans, her future and even the day she first met her longtime coach and mentor, Nikolai Karpol.
On her retiremment
“As a volleyball player, I gave everything I could for Russia. It’s time to step aside and do something new. As for my future, I don’t have concrete plans down the road. It’s hard to think ahead since each day brings new challenges. So many times I thought of planning something but the turn out was completely different.
On meeting Karpol for the first time
“I can’t remember exactly my first meeting with Nikolai because I was still a little kid. As I got older, I started to communicated with him & relationship started to grow. I know how much he loves Uralochka. When he’s on the court as a coach, he is a character. As a man and off the court, I find him kind and caring.
On Russia’s performance in London
“Unfortunately, the players didn’t have enough to rest and prepare for the Olympics. After the Russian Championship, we started training for the European Olympic Qualification and then competed at the World Olympic Qualification before London. Age is also another factor.”
On Coach Sergei Ovchinnikov’s death
I was shocked of course! He was not able to overcome all the problems life handed to him.
Although Zhenya said she is done playing volleyball, Coach Karpol has stated that she might come back during the Playoffs of the Russian Super League.
We hope she will!
Artamamonova’ Career Highlights
1991 World Cup – 3rd place
1992 Olympic Games – 2nd place
1993 European Championship – 1st place
1993 FIVB World Grand Prix – 3rd place
1994 World Championship – 3rd place
1995 European Championship – 3rd place
1996 Olympic Games – 4th place
1996 FIVB World Grand Prix – 3rd place
1997 World Grand Champions Cup – 1st place
1997 FIVB World Grand Prix – 1st place
1997 European Championship – 1st place
1998 World Championship – 3rd place
1998 FIVB World Grand Prix – 2nd place
1999 World Cup – 2nd place
1999 European Championship – 1st place
1999 FIVB World Grand Prix – 1st place
2000 Olympic Games – 2nd place
2000 FIVB World Grand Prix – 2nd place
2001 World Grand Champions Cup – 2nd place
2001 European Championship – 1st place
2001 FIVB World Grand Prix – 3rd place
2002 World Championship – 3rd place
2002 FIVB World Grand Prix – 1st place
2003 FIVB World Grand Prix – 2nd place
2004 Olympic Games – 2nd place
2008 Olympic Games – 5th place
2012 Olympic Games – 5th place
Major Individual International Awards:
1997 World Grand Champions Cup “Most Valuable Player”
1999 European Championship “Most Valuable Player”
2002 World Grand Prix “Most Valuable Player”
We are going to miss you Zhenya!
Thank you so much for all the volleyball memories! You’re a volleyball legend that our generation is very proud to have!
<3 (source: uralochka-vc.ru /images: FIVB)
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