Regla Torres facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Regla Torres
Torres Herrera in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Regla Radameris Torres Herrera
Born	(1975-02-12) 12 February 1975 (age 50) Havana, Cuba
Hometown	Havana, Cuba
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	75 kg (165 lb)
Spike	331 cm (130 in)
Block	315 cm (124 in)
Volleyball information
Position	Front blocker
Number	10
Career
Teams Ciudad Habana
National team
1991–2002  Cuba
Medal record Women's volleyball Representing  Cuba Olympic Games Gold 1992 Barcelona Team Gold 1996 Atlanta Team Gold 2000 Sydney Team World Championship Gold 1994 Brazil Team Gold 1998 Japan Team FIVB World Cup Gold 1991 Japan Gold 1995 Japan Team World Grand Champions Cup Gold 1993 Japan Silver 1997 Japan FIVB World Grand Prix Gold 1993 Hong Kong Gold 2000 Quezon City Silver 1994 Shanghai Silver 1996 Shanghai Bronze 1995 Shanghai Bronze 1998 Hong Kong Pan American Games Gold 1991 Havana Team Gold 1995 Mar del Plata Team Central American and Caribbean Games Gold 1998 Maracaibo Team

Regla Torres Herrera, born on February 12, 1975, is a famous Cuban volleyball player. She won three Olympic gold medals with the Cuban women's national volleyball team. Regla started playing internationally when she was just 14 years old. She was a "middle blocker," a very important position, and helped her team be super strong in the 1990s.

In 2001, the FIVB (which is like the main group for volleyball worldwide) gave Regla the "Best Player of the 20th Century" award. She was also added to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, which is a huge honor for volleyball players.

Early Life and Training

Regla Torres was born in Havana, Cuba on February 12, 1975. From a young age, her teachers encouraged her to play sports because she was tall. Even though her parents separated, both were involved in helping her grow up.

Regla was more interested in high jump at first. However, her mother really wanted her to focus on volleyball. When she was in fourth grade, Regla went to a special sports school. This helped her develop her amazing athletic skills. At 14, she went to the Cerro Pelado school, where her volleyball talents grew quickly. She then joined the national team in 1989.

Regla's Amazing Volleyball Career

Regla Torres had a truly incredible career in volleyball. She won many gold medals and awards.

Olympic Games Success

Regla won her first Olympic gold medal in 1992 in Barcelona. She was only 17 years old! She then helped her team win more gold medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. They also won gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. This means she achieved the amazing feat of winning three Olympic gold medals in a row! At the Sydney Olympics, she was even chosen as the best spiker.

Pan American Games Victories

Regla also helped the Cuban team win gold at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana. She was just 16 at the time. She won another gold medal with her national team at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata.

World Cups and World Championships

Regla helped Cuba win gold medals at the 1991 and 1995 FIVB World Cup events in Japan. She also led Cuba to win the 1994 FIVB World Championship in Brazil. Later, they won the 1998 FIVB World Championship in Japan. Regla was even named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in both of these World Championship tournaments!

FIVB World Grand Prix Wins

Regla and the Cuban team also earned gold medals at the 1993 and 2000 FIVB World Grand Prix events.

Awards and Honors

Regla Torres received many awards for her outstanding performance:

• Three-time Olympic gold medalist: 1992, 1996, 2000
• Two-time FIVB World Cup gold medalist: 1991, 1995
• Two-time Pan American Games gold medalist: 1991, 1995
• Two-time FIVB World Grand Prix gold medalist: 1993, 2000
• Two-time FIVB World Championship gold medalist: 1994, 1998
• Two-time FIVB World Championship MVP: 1994, 1998
• Olympic best spiker, MVP: Sydney 2000
• FIVB Best Player of the 20th Century: 2001
• International Volleyball Hall of Fame: 2001

See also

In Spanish: Regla Torres para niños