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For the star athletes playing at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, a life of competition means immense sacrifice – especially when it comes to family life. The way to provide for their families is often through the rigorous and intense sports schedules far away from the ones they love most.
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What gives them the strength to play at the highest level? More often than not, it's that same love that awaits them off the court. Their home – not a physical place, but a feeling – is wherever their family is.
Here, we list down some of these men’s volleyball idols wearing their hero hat both on and off the court. We also pay tribute to their partners, children, and more supporters cheering them on from the sidelines.
Benjamin Toniutti (France)
As the 10-year veteran setter and captain of the French national team, as well as a professional player in the PlusLiga league in Poland, Toniutti is the quiet orchestrator of one of the world's best squads. He's also the proud father of three daughters with his wife, Emilie.
For Toniutti, finding balance between a high-stakes career and his family is paramount. His unwavering focus on the court is often fueled by the knowledge that he's playing for more than just a medal – he’s playing to make his family proud. Every set is a testament to the support system that gives him the strength to lead on the world stage.
“My wife and three children are in France on a daily basis, so I spend more time alone between training and matches,” Toniutti said in an interview with PLS earlier this year, speaking on the decision to keep his family in France.
“(My eldest daughter) has close friends in France and also plays volleyball, so we wanted to provide her with more stability and joy in her social life. As soon as there are some breaks in school, my family visits me in Poland, so we see each other quite often, on average once every six weeks. When my family comes to visit me, we spend as much time as possible with each.
Earvin N’Gapeth (France)
Nicknamed "Magic" for his explosive and unpredictable style (as well as after his namesake, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson), the French outside hitter, Turkish league pro player, and two-time Olympic champ is a force to be reckoned with. But beyond the court, N’Gapeth is a dedicated father to his two sons, Mathys and Dany.
Last year, following the French national team’s gold in Paris, N’Gapethsigned with local club Stade Poitevin Poitiers – a move that gave him some much-needed quality time with his brood.
“(Playing for Poitiers) gave me the opportunity to be home for four months with my family, something I hadn’t done for a long time, so it gave me a lot of strength to come back and say I’m able to go until (the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics),” he said in a recent interview.
N’Gapeth's journey highlights the profound sacrifices athletes make to be away from their loved ones while competing. He has spoken about his close bond with his boys, showing that love and connection remains a powerful motivator, propelling him to new heights in his career.
Micah Christenson (USA)
Team USA’s captain and Olympic bronze medalist Christenson has a deeply personal way of keeping his family close and loving, even when he's thousands of miles away. His wife Brooke and their three children – Ezekiel, Quinn, and Finley – doodle heartfelt messages of support on his volleyball shoes before every tournament, he told a local publication recently as he was in the thick of the FIVB Men’s World Championship in Manila.
For Christenson, 32, those colorful scribbles are a reminder that home is always with him. They represent his core purpose: the people who matter most. "It’s a piece of family and home that I have with me when I’m on the court," the star setter said, showing that even in the toughest moments, he is never alone.
Wilfredo Leon (Poland)
The Cuban-Polish outside hitter who’s part of the highly acclaimed “Generation of Miracle” in Cuban volleyball is also a well-known family man, as evidenced by his many social media posts featuring his wife and three children.
In fact, Leon, 32, has even gone on to declare that his children are his greatest achievements. “No other achievement can compare to (the birth of his child),” he said in an Instagram post when he welcomed his first daughter back in 2017.
One of his biggest life decisions, however, was to secure a Polish citizenship not only to get better treatment as an athlete outside of Cuba, but also to honor and be closer to his journalist-wife Małgorzata. The two connected back in 2011 in a heartwarming love story that sprouted from their work.
“(One of the reasons I left Cuba is) the fact that my wife – my girlfriend at that time – is Polish and I couldn’t see her outside of Cuba,” he said in a 2020 interview with Olympics.com. “I love everything about (Poland). My life here is nice, I've never had any kind of problems.”
Bryan Bagunas (Philippines)
Alas Pilipinas’ power hitter is a true testament to finding strength from home. Bagunas, who plays internationally in Taiwan, married his long-time partner Nicole Tracy Tan last year. The couple welcomed their first child last May.
“A single moment that changed my life forever,” Bagunas wrote on Instagram, honoring his wife. “You are beyond amazing. Watching you bring our son into this world was the strongest and most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. (I’m so proud of you), and so thankful I get to walk this new journey with you.”
Bryan's story is particularly inspiring as he navigates a career that often takes him away from the Philippines. His family is his main inspiration and motivation, proving that no matter the distance, the connection remains strong, serving as a powerful reminder of what he is playing for.
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