Birigui and Chizoba (Photo: Disclosure)
Brazilians continue to make a name for themselves in the French Volleyball League. The current edition of the country’s main competition, which will host the next Olympic Games, has reached its decisive phase with the start of the playoffs. The start of the knockout games also marked the end of the regular season. In it, Victor Birigui and Chizoba joined the championship team.
The Beginner
Victor Birigui is making his debut season in France and is already one of Chaumont’s highlights. The former Sesi striker reinforces Brazil’s presence among the best in the tournament. “For me, it was great to receive this recognition. It was something I didn’t expect, even though I was having an excellent campaign. I believe that the difference was my mentality and my way of training. I have been very focused on developing my volleyball since day one,” said Birigui.
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With his good momentum, the 24-year-old player wants to fight for a place on the Men’s Volleyball Team squad at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Previously, Birigui already defended the Brazilian adult team in the 2018 and 2023 Pan American Cups, in addition to the 2019 South American Championship.
“One of my big goals is to be French champion and, certainly, to wear the Brazilian shirt again, especially in the year of the Olympic Games. After all, I’m already in France! Jokes aside, one of my biggest dreams is to be an Olympic champion”, guarantees Birigui.
The Veteran
In France since 2019, Chizoba is also on the list of the best in his position in the first phase of the French League. For Nantes, the team he has defended since 2022, the Brazilian scored 498 points and finished as the second highest scorer in the entire competition. Such a performance earned him recognition as MVP and best opposite player not only for his excellent offensive performance, but also for his leadership and contribution to the collective performance.
“This time, it was a surprise. I really wasn’t counting on it and it wasn’t a priority. But I think it was deserved, we played well in the European Cup, we are in the final of the French Cup and we finished the regular phase of the French Championship. Collective results influence individual awards”, highlighted Chizoba. It is the second year in a row that he has won recognition.
“The word that defines the league is balance. The level is very even from first to last place, which makes each round a real battle! The level is rising more and more, with many national team players coming to play here. Largely due to the fact that France is the current Olympic champion”, he added the opposite.
*With information from Team GM
Journalist from Recife graduated from Faculdade Boa Viagem, passionate about football, athletics, basketball and other sports.
