At 66-years-old Russian coach Nikolai Karpol is one of the most experienced international coaches in Volleyball. Following a four-year stint from 1979-82 Karpol, who took over as head coach of the national Russian women’s team for a second time in 1988, has kept Russia at the top of women’s Volleyball for the best part of the last two decades with astonishing success.

His dedication and determination to expect nothing less than the best from his players has seen Russia claim gold medals at the 1980 and 1988 Olympics, another gold at the 1990 World Championship, World Grand Prix titles in 1997, 1999 and 2002, the World Grand Champion Cup in 1997 and 1999 and European Championship titles in 1979, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2001.

This stunning record of achievement has been recognised by the FIVB on a number of occasions with his naming as the FIVB Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1991 and the best coach of the 1990 World Championship.