Athlete of the fans and queen of the courts: know the story of Fernanda Garay

Fernanda Garay, affectionately known as Fê Garay, is one of the most successful players in Brazilian volleyball. She was part of the champion squad of the London Olympics in 2012, starting in the historic quarter-final game against Russia. Elected the Athlete of the Fans in 2021, Fê Garay is loved and admired by everyone, on and off the court.

Who is Fernanda Garay Rodrigues?

Fernanda Garay Rodrigues, from Porto Alegre, was born on May 10, 1986. The first of five siblings, her family has always been involved with sports. Her father played basketball and inspired the twin sons Adonis and Adriano. Her brother Heleno was part of the Brazilian triple jump team. Her mother passed on to her, as well as to her sister Isabella, the love for volleyball.

Her first contact with the sport was at SOGIPA, a traditional club from Rio Grande do Sul, in 1997. She joined the Rio Grande do Sul youth team at age 14 and won the 1st division title of the Brazilian Youth Championship. The following year, her parents separated and Fernanda had to leave volleyball in the background, including the proposals of teams in São Paulo.

Professional career

Her professional career began at age 16 when she was hired by São Caetano/Açúcar União, in São Caetano do Sul (SP). Thus, she was part of the Brazilian youth team and won her first professional title, in the South American Youth Championship, in Barquecimeto, Venezuela in 2002. She was elected the best player in the competition. In 2005, she won the youth world title in Ankara, Turkey.

Fernanda went through several clubs, such as MRV/Minas in Belo Horizonte, Clube Pinheiros in São Paulo, NEC Red Rockets in Japan and Vôlei Futuro in Araçatuba-SP. Still, she was summoned to represent Brazil at the London Olympic Games in 2012 and won the gold medal. In the same year, she joined Sollys / Osasco and made it the best year of her career so far: she was champion of São Paulo, South America and the title of the Club World Cup.

Clubs from Turkey, Russia and China had the opportunity to have Fernanda as their tip. She returned to Brazil to represent Dentil/Praia Clube, winning the Superliga, Campeonato Mineiro, Supercup and Super Vôlei. She won the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and decided to take a break from her career to be a mother and deal with the challenges of motherhood.

Fernanda Garay’s impact on Brazilian sport

Owner and essential for the first Olympic gold of the Brazilian women’s team, Fernanda took Brazil to the highest level of world sport and served as an example for several girls of the new generation. In 2017, upon returning to the country, after several years playing in teams in Europe, she believed in the project of Dentil/Praia Clube, a team from Uberlândia that had never won a Women’s Superliga title. The athlete was part of the campaign that gave the team first place for the first time.

Fernanda represented Brazil at the age of 34 at the Tokyo Olympics, and won a legion of fans with her angry face at the games and her beautiful smiles when celebrating the victories. The striker’s retirement was expected, but it left thousands of Brazilians missing the strength she has on the court.

10 facts about the Olympic champion

Learn a little more about Fernanda Garay’s victorious history in Brazilian and world volleyball:

1. Author of the last point of the Olympic final

A starter in the historic quarterfinal match against Russia, in which Brazil saved six match points, Fernanda was also the author of the last point, which gave Brazil the title of Olympic champion against the United States.

2. MVP

In addition to the collective titles, Garay was elected the most valuable player (MVP) in competitions, such as the World Military in 2011, the Superliga in the 2012-2013 season, the Montreux Volley Masters and the Alassio Tournament in 2013.

3. Military World Champion

In 2010, she was champion of the Military World Cup in the United States and was elected MVP of the competition. She repeated the same feat in 2011, with the title and award in Rio de Janeiro.

4.First title of the Women’s Volleyball Superliga

His first title in the Volleyball Superliga came only in 2018, with a historic campaign at Dentil/Praia Clube. The club and the player won for the first time the biggest volleyball competition in the country.

5. 2021 Fan Athlete

The Torcida Athlete Award was created in 2014 by the Brazilian Olympic Committee to elect, by popular vote, the most beloved name in national sport. Fernanda Garay was elected with 41.52% of the more than 400 thousand votes.

6. Best ironer

Despite taking second place in the 2011 Grand Prix in Macau, China, Fernanda was at the top of the statistics and was elected the best passer in the competition. She repeated the feat in 2012 at the London Olympics.

7. Retirement of the selection

After the Tokyo Olympics, Fê Garay announced his retirement from the Brazilian national team alongside libero Camila Brait. The gaúcha represented the country for 11 years, winning several titles, such as the Champions Cup, Grand Prix, South American, Pan American Games and the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

8. Reporter

At the invitation of Rede Globo, Fernanda produces reports about the backstage of volleyball, in addition to commenting on matches between women’s teams in the Superliga.

9. Wine sommelier

With a cellar at home, Fernanda told in interviews that after retirement she is investing in the hobby of wine sommelier. In addition to taking several courses, she reveals that Italian wines are her favorites.

10. Representativeness

Born in a city with 82% of the white population, her anti-racist struggle is essential for the recognition of diversity in volleyball, being an inspiration for black girls. In addition, Fernanda uses sport as a tool for social transformation, with the search for gender equity.

Fernanda Garay’s career success deserves to be remembered and celebrated! Read more about successful Brazilian women in sports, like Carol Gattaz.