Tokyo, October 25, 2006: There has been a pregnant pause in the career of Brazilian ace Paula Pequeno.
But just three months after giving birth to a baby girl, Paula is back in business – and on Brazil’s 12-strong roster for the 2006 FIVB World Championships.
The 24-year-old outside hitter was named Most Valuable Player of the World Grand Prix Final Round in Sendai in July 2005.
But when the Brazilians returned to Japan for the World Grand Champions Cup inter-continental championship four months later, Paula was conspicuous by her absence. She was pregnant – “too much celebrating after winning the Grand Prix” was how head coach Jose Roberto Guimaraes described it at the time.
Now, “Ze Roberto” says of Paula: “She is in good shape. She had the baby three months ago and her physical condition is very good.”
Paula returns to the squad at the expense of veteran Valeska Menezes.
“It was a hard decision, but Valeskinha was a middle blocker -- I changed her position this year – and Paula is a born outside hitter. This is the point, and she has come back very well.”
Should Brazil win the world crown for the first time on November 16, head coach Ze Roberto will be hoping his girls don’t go too far in their festivities – or he might not have a team for next year’s World Cup Olympic qualifying tournament!
