Here you can find the English translation from Portuguese.

Many thanks to Guilherme Torres, Brazilian Volleyball Confederation Media Staff

Q: Would you be so kind to introduce yourself?

A: I am Brazilian, and was born in Sao Paulo, that is a big city in Brazil, maybe the biggest in the country. I was born in March 10th, in 1970. In the city where I live, people enjoy so much the night and the parties. It is also known as a place that receives people from many places of the world. It is a real culture mix. It is a city with many people and many things to do.

Q: São Paulo is a huge city, is it dangerous?

A: It is a little bit dangerous. It is a situation to think about, (because) the violence happens because of lack of jobs and better conditions for people to live. However, many people come from other states looking for a job. Sometimes, they do not find the jobs and go to this other side, of violence.

Q: When did you start playing Volleyball?

A: I started playing at school, when a teacher motivated me to do a test. Volleyball was not my favourite sport when I started playing. I preferred basketball. But, when I started training, I could see that I had aptitude, like a talent, for volleyball. Then, I started liking the sport and decided that volleyball would be my profession and my way of life.

Q: You have played Basketball and Volleyball, two sports for “tall people” (she is only 173 cm tall).

A: It is was little bit different. Volleyball was not so popular when I started playing, the other way about basketball. I thought basketball was more active than volleyball. Then, I knew volleyball better and saw that it is more active. Today, I would never play basketball.

Q: Did your career develop quickly?

A: It was really quick. I was a spiker and then changed to setter. From this moment on, my career increased a lot in a short period of time. To me, it was the best decision to change the position.

Q: Could you describe what does playing as setter mean?

A: When I moved to be a setter, I did not understand at all the meaning of being a setter. When some people taught me and I really knew the position better, I could realize the responsibility of playing as a setter. I tried to see how could I be different from the others. There were many setters and I did not want to be like them. To me, be different was really important. It is a position where I like a lot to play. Just a few players have the pleasure of feeling all the plays coming from your hands. I feel like a special person.

Q: You look very quite, have you always been this way?

A: I’ve always been very calm. It is really hard for me to be nervous or something like this. I have a good control, even outside the court. I brought it to my game and people say I am never nervous. I feel the sensations inside me, but I do not let them appear. It is my way of being and I will always be this way.

Q: In which situations you are actually yourself? 

A: I keep many things inside me. When I am home, my husband suffers because we talk a lot and he is the person to whom I open my heart. Sometimes I get revolted, but I prefer to be under control, because when I lose it, I do not do things on the best way. It is dangerous.

Q: Did you ever “lost your head”?

A:  Not inside the court. Once, I discussed really hard with my sister. I threw many things against her. I got really out of control this time. I got scared with my reaction, because it could have had the worst consequences.

Q: You played many years abroad. Could you describe your experience?

A: I played in Italy for three years and, as a player, it was the right moment. I needed to look for something new. There I found motivation to play again and I got really happy when people said that liked to watch me playing. I went to Italy a little bit afraid, because some players did not adapt themselves there, but happy too. I had a great welcome and the city received me in a way that I had never expected. Even with my age, I got experience either in life as in the career. I learned many important things in Italy to keep myself in the top volleyball. It was a great pleasure to work with Massimo [Barbolini].

Q: Which is the most important satisfaction in Volleyball?

A: In this moment, it is the people recognition. I could go to Italy and be recognized there, between players of all over the world. When people like your volleyball and are happy to watch you playing, it is a satisfaction to any athlete. That has no price. To me, is the best satisfaction.

Q: …and the most important victory?

A: With the Brazilian team, it was the bronze medal in Sidney Olympic Games –2000. I played that tournament as a titular. In Brazil, people did not believe that team could have a good result, so it was like a personal win, to prove that we could fight for good things. We kept the same level that the previous team, of 1996, had. Even if it was not a gold medal, to us, it worth a lot.

Q: …and the worst defeat?

A: The defeat against Italy in the last World Championship. It really booked us because we did not play the way we were able to. And we needed to play well because it would be a big step for Brazilian female volleyball. It is a defeat that still disturbs me because we were not able to play well.

Q: What is the first thought thinking at the Olympic Games?

A: I think about many things. I think about a dream, I think about being on the podium, I think about our wish to have a medal…We know how important is to win a medal, because we are not playing just for Brazilian volleyball, we are playing for the country.  Play in the Olympics is a dream. Even if it is not my debut, this feeling and this motivation are such a strong thing. It is like my first one.

Q: Who is the favourite team to win in Beijing Games?

A: There is not only one favourite. This will be one of the toughest Olympic Games ever. All the teams are almost at the same level. The teams are stronger than before and brought their best players. Everybody believes to be able to win. We need to be very careful with all the rivals.

Q: There is competition between Men and Women Volleyball Team in Brazil?

A: No. We are together for a long time and all the girls know how they suffered to achieve the actual level. Today, they form an almost unbeatable team among male volleyball. We try to use them as a model, to take the good things…We always talk in Saquarema (the Brazilian training center) and they use to tell us that we are just missing the titles. We hope that one day both teams can be on the same level.

Q: How do you spend your spare time off the Volleyball?

A: I like to be at home, watching TV and staying with my nephews. When I have a holiday I have them all together to have fun. I also like to go to the cinema. In general, I try to use my free time do to these things.

Q: For How long, would you like to continue to play Volleyball?

A: I still have a big motivation in playing volleyball, but my time as a professional is getting to the end. In the Brazilian team, this is my last season. Playing for clubs, I really do not know yet. Can be one, two or maybe three years…I prefer to feel and decide. But, I can anticipate that this time is getting closer.

Q:..and what about you, your family and kids?

Bye bye Fofao