Bangkok, Thailand, May 23, 2023 – AVC Honorary Life Vice President and Executive Director Mr Shanrit Wongprasert, longtime administrator within various national and international federations, has become the first member to represent Thailand in the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
The IVHF presented its induction class of 2023, to be honored on October 21 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the United States of America. The history-making class spaning a vast range of accomplishments, expertise, and volleyball history includes six members across four disciplines who were at the top of the game in their respective category, setting the standard and making history en route to being honored with this prestigious recognition.
The 37th IVHF Induction class includes the following members: Olympic gold medalist and four-time Olympian Phil Dalhausser (United States, beach male player); two-time Olympic medalist and five-time FIVB World Tour Champion Larissa Franca Maestrini (Brazil, beach female player); three-time Olympic medalist and iconic setter with a twenty year career Katsutoshi Nekoda (Japan, indoor male player); four-time Olympian and three time Olympic medalist Yumilka Ruiz (Cuba, indoor female player); Olympic medalist and longtime professional and National Team coach Silvano Prandi (Italy, coach); and Mr Shanrit Wongprasert (Thailand, leader).
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Mr Shanrit, 79, was born on December 16, 1943 in Ban Pong District in Ratchaburi, Thailand. He had served as Zonal Vice President and Secretary General of the Asian Volleyball Confederation aside from being the Member of the FIVB Board of Administration since 1992.
In 2019, he was awarded the Olympic Council of Asia’s Merit Award for his outstanding service to the development of sports in Asia and has held various positions within the Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) over the course of his career including the TVA Honorary Life President.
He has helped organize and oversea the AVC competitions in indoor and beach volleyball for the sustainable development of Asia and world volleyball alike.
Another Asian member winning the award is Mr Katsutoshi Nekoda from Japan. He was a setter for the Japanese national volleyball team from 1960s to 1980. He was a four-time Olympian and winner of three medals – gold at the 1972 Games in Munich, silver at the 1968 Games and bronze at the 1964 Tokyo Games.
He invented and popularized the ceiling serve, a serve where the ball is hit up towards the lights in the ceiling making it difficult to judge the landing. Additionally, he was named the Best Setter of the 1969 and 1977 FIVB World Cup and Best Setter at the 1970 FIVB World Championship and widely regarded as the most iconic player on the dominant Japanese Men’s National Team at the time.
Also announced are four special award winners, recognized for their contributions to the IVHF or the sport of volleyball itself. They include the AVP (Court of Honor), the Homewood Suites Holyoke/Susan Concepcion (William G. Morgan Award) and outgoing American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Executive Director Kathy DeBoer (Mintonette Award). Also honored earlier in 2023 was Hector “Picky” Soto (Puerto Rico) with the Mayoral Award of Excellence.
“Since 1985, the IVHF has had the distinct honor of inducting the legends of our sport while recognizing them for their storied careers and numerous accomplishments,” said IVHF President Steve Bishop, also the President of the Florida Region of USA Volleyball. “This year we look forward to welcoming another amazing class of inductees, along with several very deserving special award winners. We cannot wait to create new memories with this 2023 class of award winners. So many of the world’s greatest volleyball athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and leaders have made the trip to Holyoke, MA, USA, the birthplace of volleyball, to have their names and plaques added to the Wall of Honor, and to experience the pinnacle moment as their name is called and their story is captured forever. We invite everyone to join us for this incredible celebration.”
The 2023 International Volleyball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The event is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, and ticket packages are available online at www.ivhf.org.
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