Kerri Pottharst
Kerri Ann Pottharst ( born June 25, 1965 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia) is a former professional volleyball and beach volleyball player. In 2000 it was with his partner Natalie Cook Olympic champion and member of the Order of Australia.
Career
Pottharst debuted in 1982 at the Australian National Volleyball Team, established himself as a regular player and was captain of the selection. In 1990, she made history when she became the first Australian player in the strong Italian Serie A Bologna. 1992 Pottharst suffered a serious knee injury that almost ended her career. After an 18-month break from competition and several operations was clear that her leg could not handle the load on the hard floor. Pottharst made from a virtue of necessity and made his debut in 1993 in beach volleyball. Together with Natalie Cook established itself as one of the strongest players and won bronze at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and silver at the 1996 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
1997 was a disappointing one, and due to internal tensions, the duo decided to part ways to go. Pottharst played on the side of Pauline Manser, without being able to build on the successes to date. In 1999 Pottharst and Cook came together and took many podium finishes, but without being able to win a tournament. Nevertheless effect prior to the 2000 Olympics on home soil as co-favorites. In the final, she defeated the higher assessed Adriana Behar and Bede Shelda (Brazil ) with 12-11 and 12-10 and took gold. Thus they took their first international victory at all.
This triumph they could not confirmed in the next few years, but remained in the extended world leaders. 2003 declared Pottharst her resignation so that henceforth Cook played with Nicole Sanderson. But a year later, full led Pottharst her comeback and worked with Summer Lochowicz to qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Games., This succeeded and Pottharst and Lochowitz were ninth. Ironically met Cook / Sanderson and Pottharst / Lochowitz each other in the second round, where Cook / Sanderson won with 2-0 records. At the age of 39 years finished Pottharst then her career. Following her playing career, she worked as a volleyball coach and motivational trainer.
Pottharst is 1.84 meters tall and weighed about 70 kg competition times. She speaks English, German and Italian and promotes organ donation. In her career she won about $ 850,000. Pottharst currently lives in Fairlight.
- Gold medal Olympic Games 2000
- Silver Medal 1996 World Championships
- Bronze Medal Olympic Games 1996
- Inclusion in the Volleyball Hall of Fame 2007
- Member of the Order of Australia
- Together with Natalie Cook: election to one of the two " female beach volleyball teams of the decade 1990 - 2000 "