Karch Kiraly
| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Los Angeles 1984 | Volleyball (indoor) | |
| Gold | Seoul 1988 | Volleyball (indoor) | |
| Gold | Atlanta 1996 | Beach Volleyball | |
Charles Frederick Kiraly, better known as Karch Kiraly (born November 3,
1960 in Jackson, Michigan), is an American
1988 Olympics
Karch Kiraly was popularly called the "Thunderball in Volleyball".
Kiraly went on to become a fixture on the national team through much of the 1980s as a combination setter/hitter. Team USA would win Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988 with Kiraly. Karch was team captain for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, wearing #15. He was also named by FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) as the top player in the world in 1986 and 1988.
After the 1988 Olympics, he retired from the national team. After a stint of club volleyball in Italy (Il Messaggero of Ravenna), he returned to the U.S. to play beach volleyball full-time. Kiraly has won a record 148 professional beach volleyball titles, and partnered with Kent Steffes to win the first men's Olympic beach volleyball tournament in 1996. Even in his mid-forties, he continues to compete effectively against far younger players; his early-2000s partnership with Mike Lambert revitalized his career. His most recent win came in August 2005, when he and Lambert won an AVP tournament in Huntington Beach, California. He has won over $3 million in prize money in beach volleyball, also a record.
AVP
In 2002, at the age of 42, Kiraly began training with Mike Rangel, a noted fitness coach and founder of Southern California-based PlyoCity. Kiraly went on to record another 6 AVP tournament victories: two with partner Brent Doble in 2002 and 2003, and four with Mike Lambert in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, Kiraly partnered with Larry Witt. In 2007, Kiraly partnered with Kevin Wong.
Kiraly is known for his trademark pink cap that he wears while playing on the AVP tour.
While not playing, Kiraly serves as a commentator for women's final and other matches.
Karch has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2007 season.
Personal
Kiraly currently resides in San Clemente, California with his wife Janna and two sons, Kristian and Kory.
External links
- AVP Profile
- Karch Kiraly's U.S. Olympic Team bio
- Karch Kiraly Volleyball Academy
- http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2007-08-30-kiraly-retirement_N.htm
| Preceded by Par J. Arvidsson Rowdy Gaines Oliver Luck Kenneth W. Sims Lynette Woodard |
NCAA Top Five
Award Class of 1983 Bruce Baumgartner John Elway Richard J. Giusto Charles F. Kiraly David R. Rimington |
Succeeded by John E. Frank Beth Heiden Terrell L. Hoage Stefan G. Humphries Steve Young |
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