1. Giba is mostly remembered for his successes with the national team.
21 Facts About Giba
1. 2.
Giba debuted in his country for clubs such as Curitibano, Cocamar, Chapeco, Sao Caetano, Nipomed, Olympikus and Minas.
3.
Giba debuted for the Brazilian National Team at the age of 18 in 1995 and in that year already he won his first major title which was the South American Championship.
4.
In 2001 Giba won his first World League title, while Brazil beat 8-time winners Italy in the final.
5.
At the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Giba was at his best helping Brazilian National Team to win its second gold medal in history and being voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
6.
In 2010 Giba lost his spot in the starting lineup, as Rezende preferred to use younger Dante and Murilo as starting spikers.
7.
Giba however remained the team's captain and was still an important part of the national team, winning his eight World League title and the third World Championship in the tournament held in Italy.
8.
In 2011, with Dante injured, Giba returned to the starting lineup and was close to add another World League title to his collection.
9.
Giba came up short however, as the Brazilian Team lost a close five-set final to Russia.
10.
At the 2012 London Olympics, with Giba again used mostly as a reserve captain, Brazil reached the gold medal match again.
11.
Giba is not very tall for a volleyball player but he made up his height limitation with his unique physical skills and jumping abilities.
12.
Giba was not only appreciated for his spectacular play but he had desire, appeal and drive that made him loved by volleyball fans all over the world.
13.
Giba was named a captain of the national team because of his leadership skills.
14.
Giba was recognized for his highly energetic personality which was helping to motivate the whole Brazilian team to play its best.
15.
Brazil was considered nearly unbeatable in the 2000s and Giba was a big part of its success.
16.
Giba was diagnosed with this disease when he was six months old.
17.
Giba is fluent in three languages; Portuguese, English and Italian.
18.
Giba has been involved in commercial campaigns of such brands as Vogue Italia, Nissan, Technos and Olympikus.
19.
Giba has been supporting orphans and children suffering from cancer.
20.
Giba and his ex-wife Cristina Pirv, who was a volleyball player, entered the campaign of the Institute Art of Living Well, against breast cancer.
21.
Giba has celebrated Olympic day with 600 children from social projects in Rio de Janeiro.