Yumilka Daysi Ruíz Luaces (born 8 May 1978) is a Cuban retired volleyball player who represented her native country in four consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1996. She won Olympic gold medals with the national team in 1996 and 2000. She also claimed the bronze at the 2004 Olympics. As an outside hitter, she was integral to the dominance of the Cuban team in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In 2023, Ruíz was inducted into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Club volleyball
Ruíz played the 2004–05 season with the Russian club Uralochka-NTMK, where she set the record of scoring 53 points in a single match and led her team to the championship title.
Ruíz retired in 2008 at age 30. At , she had a jump reach of at the peak of her career.
After three years of inactivity, Ruíz made a comeback in 2012 to play in Russian League for Uralochka-NTMK Ekaterinburg, and participated in the European Champions League. She retired in 2014.
International Olympic Committee
In August 2008, Ruíz was elected to an eight-year term to the Athletes' Commission of the International Olympic Committee by athletes that cast votes.
Clubs
Medinex Reggio Calabria (1996–2000) Ciudad Habana (2000–2006) Uralochka-NTMK (2004–2005) Camagüey (2006–2008) Uralochka-NTMK (2012–2014)
Awards
Individuals 2002 Pan-American Cup "Most Valuable Player" 2002 World Championship "Best Scorer" 2003 NORCECA Championship "Most Valuable Player" 2004 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best Spiker" 2005 Pan-American Cup "Best Spiker" 2004-2005 Russian Super League "Most Valuable Player"
Clubs 1998 CEV Cup – Runner-up, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 1999 Italian Cup – Runner-up, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 1998-99 Italian Championship – Runner-up, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 1999-00 Italian Championship – Runner-up, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 2000 Italian Cup – Champion, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 2000 Italian Super Cup – Champion, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 2000 CEV Cup – Champion, with Medinex Reggio Calabria 2004-05 Russian Super League – Champion, with Uralochka-NTMK
References
External links
Uralochka-NTMK profile (archived) Medinex profile (archived) Yumilka Ruiz on the battle for volleyball gold at Sydney (interview)