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PLAYER
PROFILE
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Marcio
Araujo
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 After four podium finishes and a end-of-year ranking of two in 2002 Márcio, with playing partner Benjamin, has already declared his intentions for 2003 laying down the law that 2003 is purely an Olympic Games qualifying year.
"We will be dedicating most of the time this year to the World Tour so we can guarantee a place in the Olympic Games, next year, in Athens," Márcio said.
As the SWATCH FIVB World Tour offers the most qualifying points the 29-year-old Brazilian will be part of a team who will be one of the favourites to qualify due to their stunning form last year. They're combination on court is uncanny and they can often get through a game just on the back of the fanatical support from the fans.
"The big turning point for us was when we first won a World Tour Tournament in Vitória (Brazil - 2000). We came from the qualifying rounds and surprised a lot of people. That was the moment that Benjamin and I started to believe that we could really face any team in the world in the same conditions. That was the decisive point and a big step for us. After that, we played six finals in that year."
After 13 years on the circuit Márcio's list of partners has included names such as Reis, Fred, Magal but it wasn't until he teamed up with Benjamin in 1999 that his true potential began to emerge. Both players complement each other on court with Márcio playing the role as the rock on which the team is built on. "Benjamin is a nice guy but he is a little bit crazy and has no patience," he said. "On the other hand, I am the calmer one and that balances things out."
Márcio, who started his career in Volleyball, switched to Beach Volleyball in the early 90's through the help of his coach Ronald and his father Luiz.
"I have to thank my father for being an example," Márcio said. "If it was not for him I probably would not be playing today. And since then Ronald, my coach, has been a huge influence. He used to coach another Beach team Franco and Roberto Lopes and at first I would go to training just to help them, but after a while I started to look at it more seriously."
Sport has always played a huge role in Márcio's life and judging by the form book it's likely to remain the same for the next two years at least.
MÁRCIO in facts and figures
Born in: Fortaleza; Date of Birth: 12/10/73; Height: 1.92m; Weight: 82Kg. Main titles: Brazilian champion in 2000; Named Best Defender in Brazilian Beach Volleyball in 2000; Fifth place in the Brazilian ranking in 2001 playing with Benjamin; First foreign player to win a tournament on the Italian Circuit. Likes: Surfing,
Idol: Ayrton Senna
Favourite movie: Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan".
Favourite food: Chicken, rice and beans.
Family: Married to his wife Renata for four years, father of two-year-old Mirella.
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