Volleyball: Simón practically gets off the plane and starts training with the Cuban team

Robertlandy Simón, one of the icons of world volleyball, is already training in Havana with motivation through the roof for the upcoming Nations League (VNL), the last event that will give Olympic tickets. for Paris-2024.

World runner-up in the distant 2010 and owner of an illustrious career in the main leagues in the world, Simón practically got off the plane and went to the court of the National Volleyball School in Cuba, because he does not want to lose the way in which he finished the Italian Super League.

"I arrived in Cuba on Monday and the next day I started training with the boys. You can't lose your shape. I feel good and motivated to look for the Olympic ticket," the 2.08m giant told Radio Habana Cuba (www. radiohc.cu).

The considered best center back on the planet moved to the Cuban capital from Italy, where he has spent most of his career, and where this season he once again excelled with Piacenza, despite the club finishing in the seventh place.

In the Super League he was once again one of the best in his position, with excellent numbers. He scored 221 points in 22 games in the regular season, with 29 aces, 54 points per block and an attack percentage of over 63 percent.

After almost a decade away from the Cuban team, Simón returned in 2019 with the Olympic dream, but the team could not qualify for the Japanese competition. Now, at almost 37 years old, he is making another effort, perhaps his last, to attend his first Olympic Games.

The native of Santiago de Cuba is a natural leader, an example on and off the court for his dedication and discipline, and he is admired and respected by both his teammates and his rivals.

The next VNL will start for the Cuban team on the 21st in Rio de Janeiro, where Jesús Cruz's students will clash against the host Brazil, Italy, Argentina, Japan, Serbia, Iran and Germany.