Born: 1975 (Villa Clara, Cuba)
Biography:
Mirka Francia Vasconcelos, born on February 14, 1975, in Villa Clara, is a Cuban-Italian volleyball player who has left an indelible mark on the sport. With a height of 1.84 meters (6 ft), she started her career as a blocker before transitioning into a hitter in 2004.
Francia’s journey in the world of volleyball began at the age of ten when she first picked up the sport. Her talent shone through, and at the age of fourteen, she joined the junior national team in Havana, showcasing her immense potential. It was the beginning of a long and fruitful career.
With the Cuban national team, Francia achieved remarkable success, winning two gold medals at the Summer Olympics. In 1996, at the Atlanta Games, she played an instrumental role in leading her team to victory. Four years later, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, she demonstrated her exceptional skills once again, contributing significantly to Cuba’s triumph.
Beyond the Olympics, Francia also played a crucial part in the Cuban national team’s victories at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in both 1994 and 1998. Her talent and dedication to the sport were undeniable, and she emerged as a key figure in Cuban volleyball history.
In her club career, Francia made a mark in Italy, playing for notable teams such as Romanelli Firenze and Sirio Perugia. With Sirio Perugia, she achieved tremendous success, winning the Italian Championship three times (2002-2003, 2004-2005, 2006-2007) and the Italian Cup twice (2003, 2005). Furthermore, she played a pivotal role in winning the Women’s CEV Champions League in 2006 and 2008. Her exceptional performance earned her the title of Best Spiker in both tournaments.
In 2004, Francia acquired Italian citizenship, a testament to her impact on Italian volleyball. However, she declined offers to play for the Italy women’s national volleyball team due to personal reasons and family matters. Her loyalty and commitment to her family were unwavering, making her choices a reflection of her character.
Continuing her career, Francia ventured into the Turkish league, playing for Eczacibasi Istanbul during the 2008-2009 season. She once again displayed her prowess, winning the Best Scorer title in the Champions League regular season and claiming the titles of Best Spiker, Best Server, and Top Scorer in the 2009 Turkish Championship.
Francia’s contributions to the sport did not go unnoticed. In 2019, she was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame. This recognition solidified her status as one of the greatest volleyball players of her time.
Throughout her career, Mirka Francia Vasconcelos exemplified strength, resilience, and skill. Her impact on Cuban and Italian volleyball, both on the national and club levels, was immeasurable. She continually pushed boundaries, inspiring future generations of young athletes to reach for their dreams.
Awards:
– 1999 FIVB World Cup Best Blocker
– 2008 Champions League Final Four Best Spiker
– 2009 Champions League Regular Season Best Scorer
– 2009 Turkish Championship Top Scorer
– 2009 Turkish Championship Best Spiker
– 2009 Turkish Championship Best Server
Clubs:
– 2000 Copa Coppe – Champion, with Despar Perugia
– 2003 Italian Cup – Champion, with Despar Perugia
– 2003 Italian Championship – Champion, with Despar Perugia
– 2005 Italian Cup – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2005 CEV Cup – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2005 Italian Championship – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2005-06 CEV Indesit Champions League – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2006 Coppa di Lega – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2007 Italian Cup – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2007 CEV Cup – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2007 Italian Championship – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2007 Italian Super Cup – Champion, with Sirio Perugia
– 2007-08 CEV Indesit Champions League – Champion, with Colussi Perugia
– 2009 Turkish Championship – Champion