Cuban volleyball player Regla Bell, a member of the iconic Morenas del Caribe, was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame this Monday, as reported on social media.
Sports journalist Yasel Porto confirmed the news on his Facebook page, DPorto Sports LLC, highlighting the athlete's accomplishments that earned her this prestigious honor.
"She had more than enough merits to be in the Olympus of high net sports gods: three-time Olympic champion with the Morenas del Caribe (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000), two-time world champion (Brazil 1994 and Japan 1998), and four-time World Cup champion (1989, 1991, 1995, and 1999), among other titles," Porto stated in his post.
As a member of the spectacular Morenas del Caribe, Bell was part of a golden era for the sport in Cuba, which dominated volleyball during the 1990s, winning three consecutive gold medals in the Olympic Games.
Honoring Volleyball Legends
In early April, the institution based in Holyoke, Massachusetts, published the names of the 23 candidates for this year's induction, which included Bell as well as Cuban coach Gilberto Herrera. Regla Bell competed in the "women's indoor volleyball" category against Kumi Nakada (Japan), Zhang Rongfang (China), Manuela Benelli (Italy), and Barbara Jelic-Ruzic (Croatia).
The information also revealed that, in addition to Bell, nine other distinguished volleyball figures were inducted: beach volleyball players Ana Paula Henkel (Brazil) and Tim Hovland (United States), indoor player Andrea Zorzi (Italy), coaches José Roberto Guimaraes (Brazil) and Hadi Rezaei (Iran, for paravolleyball), referees Juan Ángel Pereyra (Argentina) and Sue Lemaire (United States), and entrepreneur Giuseppe Panini (Italy).
Bell's name joins a prestigious list that includes seven other Cubans: Regla Torres (2001), Mireya Luis (2004), Magalys Carvajal (2011), Mirka Francia (2019), Taimaris Agüero (2021), Yumilka Ruiz (2023), and coach Eugenio George (2005).
"In total, there are now 176 members from 27 countries, including these new inductees, who belong to the elite group in the International Volleyball Hall of Fame," Yasel Porto mentions in his post.
FAQs on Regla Bell's Induction into the Volleyball Hall of Fame
Learn more about Regla Bell's achievements and the significance of her induction into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
What are Regla Bell's major achievements in volleyball?
Regla Bell is a three-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion, and four-time World Cup champion. She was a key player in the Cuban team that dominated volleyball in the 1990s.
Who else was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame alongside Regla Bell?
Other inductees include beach volleyball players Ana Paula Henkel and Tim Hovland, indoor player Andrea Zorzi, coaches José Roberto Guimaraes and Hadi Rezaei, referees Juan Ángel Pereyra and Sue Lemaire, and entrepreneur Giuseppe Panini.
Who confirmed Regla Bell's induction into the Hall of Fame?
Sports journalist Yasel Porto confirmed the news on his Facebook page, DPorto Sports LLC.