Mireya Luis

Alejandrina Mireya Luis Hernández, often referred to as Mireya (born 25 August 1967, in Camagüey),[1] is a retired Cuban volleyball player and three-time Olympic gold medalist. She won gold medals at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics with the Cuban women's national volleyball team.[2][1] She was the captain of the Cuban team from 1985 until her retirement.[3]

Mireya Luis
Personal information
Full nameAlejandrina Mireya Luis Hernández
NationalityCuban
Born (1967-08-25) 25 August 1967
Camagüey, Cuba
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight69 kg (152 lb)
Spike339 cm (133 in)
Block325 cm (128 in)
Volleyball information
PositionOutside hitter
Number3
National team
1983-2001 Cuba
Honours
Women's volleyball
Representing  Cuba
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1992 BarcelonaTeam
Gold medal – first place1996 AtlantaTeam
Gold medal – first place2000 SydneyTeam
World Championship
Gold medal – first place1994 BrazilTeam
Gold medal – first place1998 JapanTeam
Silver medal – second place1986 CzechoslovakiaTeam
FIVB World Cup
Gold medal – first place1989 JapanTeam
Gold medal – first place1991 JapanTeam
Gold medal – first place1995 JapanTeam
Silver medal – second place1985 JapanTeam
World Grand Champions Cup
Gold medal – first place1993 JapanTeam
Silver medal – second place1997 JapanTeam
FIVB World Grand Prix
Gold medal – first place1993 Hong Kong Team
Gold medal – first place2000 ManilaTeam
Silver medal – second place1994 ShanghaiTeam
Silver medal – second place1997 KobeTeam
Bronze medal – third place1995 ShanghaiTeam
Bronze medal – third place1998 Hong KongTeam
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place1983 CaracasTeam
Gold medal – first place1987 IndianapolisTeam
Gold medal – first place1991 HavanaTeam
Gold medal – first place1995 Mar del PlataTeam
Silver medal – second place1999 WinnipegTeam
NORCECA Volleyball Championship
Gold medal – first place1985 Santiago de los CaballerosTeam
Gold medal – first place1987 HavanaTeam
Gold medal – first place1989 San JuanTeam
Gold medal – first place1991 ReginaTeam
Gold medal – first place1993 Colorado SpringsTeam
Gold medal – first place1995 Santo DomingoTeam
Gold medal – first place1997 CaguasTeam
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place1998 MaracaiboTeam

In 2004, Mireya was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.[2]

Career

Pan American Games

At the age of 10, Mireya started playing volleyball.[2] At 16, Mireya joined the Cuban national team for the 1983 Pan American Games, winning first place.[4] She competed in the 1987 Pan American Games, again helping Cuba win the tournament.[1] She won additional gold medals at the Pan American Games in 1991 and 1995.[1]

World Cups and World Championships

In 1989, Mireya won her first FIVB World Cup gold medal with Cuba, which she would repeat in 1991 and 1995.[4] Mireya also led Cuba to FIVB World Championship gold medals in 1994 and 1998.[5]

Olympic Games

After a brief hiatus due to a knee injury that required surgery in 1990, Mireya resumed play and became a dominant force on the team.[4] Mireya won her first Olympic gold medal in 1992 in Barcelona.[4] She would win her second Olympic gold medal with the Cuban national team in 1996 in Atlanta.[4] Mireya achieved her third Olympic gold medal in 2000 in Sydney, and soon after retired in 2001.[4]

Mireya's vertical jump

Mireya was known for her spectacular jumping power, reaching 3.39 meters (11'1"), more than any other player, though being only 1.75 meters (5'9") tall.[6][2] She earned numerous "best scorer", "best spiker", and "best player" awards at various international championships.[6]

FIVB

In 2018, Mireya was unanimously elected to the position of executive vice president of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).[7]

Personal life

Mireya has a daughter, Idanaisi, and a grandson, Darío.[8]

Individual awards

References
  1. "Mireya Luis". Olympedia. Archived from the original on 6 March 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  2. "Mireya Luis". International Volleyball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  3. Nacianceno, Alfonso (27 June 2017). "Mireya, a well-grounded Cuban athlete". Granma. Archived from the original on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  4. Coll Untoria, Jorge Luis (24 April 2023). "Mireya Luis' great jump". Oncubanews.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  5. "'The Spectacular Caribbean Girls': Cuba's three volleyball golds in a row". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  6. Gunston, Jo (22 September 2022). "Volleyball: The most asked questions about women's indoor volleyball". Olympics.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  7. "Mireya Luis elected vice president of FIVB". CubaSi. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  8. Arce Montero, Angélica; Suñol Robles, Jorge (10 May 2021). "Las 3 del día: La impresionante historia de maternidad de Mireya Luis (+ Podcast)". Cubadebate.cu (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
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