Ivaylo-Stefanov
A 44-year-old Ivaylo Stefanov entered the floor for CSKA Sofia as a substitution in the first round of Superliga, the national championship of Bulgaria, against Teteven Volley 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-21), last weekend, to become the oldest active professional volleyball player in the world, sportal.bg reported.
Until last year, Stefanov was No.2 in this category, behind Samuele Papi, also 44. But since the Italian player decided to retire this summer, Stefanov took over the lead on the list as he set off his 27th professional season.
He has won the Turkish championship with Arçelik İstanbul, Austrian championship with Donaukraft Wien and Bulgarian championship with Levski Sofia and his current club CSKA Sofia, whose member he has been since 2009 and where he now serves both as a coach and as a player.
Interestingly, Stefanov retired in 2006 after finishing the season with the Polish side Jastrzębski Węgiel. But, after three years, he decided to compete again. So, now we have a new volleyball record!
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