In not for this great FIVB article, we wouldn’t have known these 5 facts about the great Ivan Zaytsev.
#1. HE IS VERSATILE.
When he was younger, Ivan started as a setter and then he played as a middle blocker. When he started playing pro and with the National Team, he was an outside hitter. After the 2012 Olympics, he has started playing as an opposite hitter and is now one of the world’s BEST spikers.
#2. HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS HAIR.
Aside from his great volleyball skills, Ivan is also knows for his hairstyles. The Zaytsev Mohawk is his trademark.
“I didn’t plan to become so famous because of my haircut, it’s not marketing or ego. I have had this relationship with my hair since I was a kid.”
#3. HE IS MULTI-LINGUAL.
According to the said article, Ivan speaks Russian to his parents, Italian to his wife – who is half Italian and half Irish – and English to her mother.
#4. HE WILL PLAY AFTER 40.
“Health permitting, I want to play to the age of 41 like my father.”
#5. SON OF A RUSSIAN VOLLEYBALL LEGEND.
Vyacheslav Zaytsev played volleyball for Russia (Soviet Union) and won an gold at the 1980 Olympics, 1978 World Champs and 1982 World Champs where he was named as the MVP. With the National Team, he won 7 European Championship crowns. (when he was named MVP), and won the European Championship seven times with the Soviet Union.
“Sport has always been important in our family. It is pretty much in my DNA.” according to Ivan.
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