Zé Roberto says he “was floored” when he found out about Walewska’s death

Two of the main national volleyball coaches, José Roberto Guimarães It is Bernardinho said they were shocked by the death of Walewska, Olympic champion with the Brazilian team at the 2008 Beijing Games. The 43-year-old player passed away surprisingly on Thursday night.

Zé Roberto, who coached Walewska at Campinas and also with the national team, said he was “devastated” by the news. “We run out of ground to know and understand things. But it’s difficult to talk about it. It shook everyone”, declared the coach, in an interview with TV Globo, after the defeat of the Brazilian women’s team to Turkey in the Pre-Olympic, in Tokyo.

“It’s a very difficult, very complicated moment. Just before the game we spoke about the matter with the players. We put on the stripe… It’s a moment of great sadness and difficulty for everyone. Knowing Walewska as we do, she She was an example of dedication and commitment, she had everything good that a player and an athlete, a person, can have. She always took great care of herself, always helped the team, always tried to do everything right, in the best way possible since she was very little. “

Walewska played under Zé Roberto for several years throughout his career. “You know that athlete that every coach would like to have, with discipline, commitment, focus and concern for the other players on the team. She was concerned with doing the fundamentals well, in the best way possible, with everything coming together for the team. She She left a legacy as an athlete, she is one of the greatest examples I have ever seen. And I was able to experience with her all the moments we had together at club and national team.”

For Zé Roberto, the former player will also be missed in the current team. “She will be greatly missed by these girls, who played with her, participated with her in various stages and journeys. And she will set an example for these younger girls about what it means to be a great athlete.”

Bernardinho, who was also coach of the women’s team, said he couldn’t believe the sad episode. “A girl who I saw transform into an incredible woman. A person with top-notch energy, on the court a warrior, a friend… She always showed enormous affection towards everyone, that hug that welcomed everyone. An aspiring became a champion”, she commented.

Like Zé Roberto, Bernardinho praised Walewska’s trajectory. “I really participated in the transformation of that ‘little caterpillar’ into a beautiful butterfly, which flew around the world, achieved so many things, but left us so young, so full of energy. Too hard to believe.”