From Wilfredo Leon to Ishikawa Yuki: Ten stars to watch at the Paris 2024 Volleyball Men’s Qualifier
As the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men's Olympic Qualification Tournaments are set to kick off, Olympics.com takes a look at some of the most exciting players to look out for.
Volleyball
From 30 September to 8 October 2023, the top 24 men's volleyball nations will be battling for six Paris 2024 qualification berths in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Tokyo (Japan) and Xi'an (People’s Republic of China) at the FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Volleyball Qualifying Tournament.
From the best setters to the most powerful hitters, here are ten players from ten different teams to keep an eye on throughout the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).
Remember you can watch the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Men's Olympic Qualification Tournaments on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com (territorial restrictions may apply).
Wilfredo Leon (Poland)
30-year-old Wilfredo Leon has represented Poland since 2019, after switching from the Cuban national team.
He is regarded as one the best volleyball players of the 21st century and is known for his remarkable serve speed, jumping power and spikes. In May 2021, he recorded the fastest serve ever in a VNL (Volleyball Nations League) tournament by clocking in at 135.6 kilometres per hour.
This summer Leon has played a key role in Poland’s success in both the VNL and European Championship, where he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) after this team beat Italy in the final.
Wilfredo Leon is hoping to help Poland secure one of the quotas for Paris 2024.
Simone Giannelli (Italy)
Simone Giannelli led Italy to the World Championship title in 2022, where he was recognised as MVP.
The star setter was also instrumental the year before when Ferdinando De Giorgi's team claimed the European Championship title.
The 27-year-old will once again be instrumental in orchestrating the Azzurri's offence, supplying the ammunition for spikers Alessandro Michieletto and Daniele Lavia.
Simone Giannelli was awarded the Most Valuable player at the World Championship in 2022.
Bruno Rezende (Brazil)
Veteran Bruno Rezende is a leading figure on the Brazilian team and is regarded as one the best setters in the world.
The 2016 Olympic champion has reached the age of 37 but his class has remain undiminished.
As the son of Bernardinho, who coached the Brazil national team from 2001 to 2017, Bruno can be considered one of the most accomplished players in the sport's history, thanks to his three Olympic medals and numerous additional titles at both national and club level.
Bruno Rezende is regarded as one the best setters in the world.
Agustin Loser (Argentina)
The newly crowned South American champion Agustin Loser has swiftly become a standout player on the Argentina squad.
At Tokyo 2020, he played a pivotal role in securing Argentina's second Olympic medal in men's volleyball and was honoured as the tournament's best blocker.
In the 2023 VNL, the 25-year-old tallied an impressive 53 blocks, surpassing all others with an average of 4.08 per match.
At Tokyo 2020, Agustin Loser was chosen as the best blocker in the competition.
Micah Christenson (United States)
Micah Christenson clinched the Best Setter award at the 2023 VNL, helping the US team reach the final of the tournament.
The 30-year-old captain from Hawaii has just led his team to their first continental title in six years, as the USA claimed the 2023 NORCECA Championship, where he was named MVP.
Micah Christenson led the USA to their first continental title in six years at the 2023 NORCECA Championship.
Ishikawa Yuki (Japan)
Japan's star Ishikawa Yuki emerged as the top scorer in this year’s VNL, amassing a total of 275 points, and was also recognised as Best Outside Spiker.
Last month he was honoured as the MVP after leading his team to their tenth Asian Championship title.
Ishikawa Yuki was the best scorer at this year’s VNL making 275 points.
Zhang Jingyin (People’s Republic of China)
The 2.07m-tall Zhang Jingyin is the leading force in the Chinese offence.
With 201 points during the 2023 VNL, the 23-year-old big hitter became the fourth-highest scorer in the tournament.
Zhang Jingyin made 201 points at the 2023 VNL.
Amin Esmaeilnezhad (Islamic Republic of Iran)
Amin Esmaeilnezhad, who recently guided Iran to their third Asian Games title, played a decisive role for his team when they secured a silver medal at the Asian Championship a month ago. In the same competition he was named Best Outside Hitter.
His powerful and precisely delivered serves and spikes make him a formidable force in Iran's offence.
Nimir Abdel-Aziz (Netherlands)
Nimir Abdel-Aziz led the best servers list in this season’s VNL with an impressive 25 points.
The Dutchman initially began his career as a setter but later transitioned to the opposite hitter position, gaining renown for his formidable spikes.
Nimir Abdel-Aziz dominated the best servers list at this season’s VNL by 25 points.
Rok Možič (Slovenia)
Rok Možič is already hailed as one of the most promising volleyball players worldwide.
The 21-year-old spiker has witnessed the rise of Slovenian volleyball firsthand, clinching silver and bronze at the last two European Championships since making his senior debut at just 17.
Možič, whose parents were both volleyball players, in 2021 became European U20 beach volleyball champion.