Bernardo “Bernardinho” Rezende, 43, was appointed head coach of Brazil in 2001. Under his expert leadership, Brazil became the men’s leading superpower, winning both the World League in 2001 and the 2002 World Championship. His squad also finished second in the 2002 World League before claiming gold again in 2003.

Rezende has developed a wonderful spirit amongst his team. Not only are they currently winning with regularity but they are doing it in fine style. His team is timing its run perfectly for the Olympics having triumphed at the 2003 World Cup to confirm their early qualification for Athens, before setting the 2004 World League alight with another dazzling display.

A former setter, Rezende was a member of the Brazilian squad that won silver medals at the 1982 World Championship and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He retired in 1988 to become assistant coach of the national team ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Two years later he moved to Italy to coach before returning home in 1993 to take charge of the national women’s team. In 1994, he coached the team to second place at the World Championship and to victory at the World Grand Prix. In 1996, the team won bronze at the Atlanta Olympics and the World Grand Prix again and finished third at Sydney 2000.