Canadian Water Polo Veteran Krystina Alogbo Announces International Retirement

alogbo-canada-aug19
Krystina Alogbo at the 2019 World Championships for Canada

Canadian national teamer Krystina Alogbo announced her retirement from the Canadian national team Friday, ending a 15-year international career.

Alogbo, 34, debuted with the national team in 2005. She competed in four Pan American games and eight World Championships in a storied career for Canada. She was part of the team that won gold at the 2003 World Junior Championships (against their rivals from the U.S. in Calgary), and claiming silver and bronze in worlds in 2009 and 2005, respectively. Alogbo was named the Women’s Water Polo Player of the Year in 2011 by Swimming World.

“It’s a huge decision for me,” Alogbo said in a statement released by Water Polo Canada. “Water polo has been my priority for over 25 years, and it still is. The last year has been tough physically and mentally. I’ve thought a lot about it over the past few months, and I really think it’s the right decision. Although it’s not easy, I have a few good years left in me, and I want to make sure I stay competitive. The opportunity arose to go to Italy, and I decided to begin the transition towards coaching his year.”

Alogbo will continue to play professionally in Italy with CSS Verona, where she will also coach the U-16 and U-18 teams.

“On behalf of Water Polo Canada, we would like to thank Krystina for her commitment to the sport of water polo and proudly representing our country for more than 15 years,” Water Polo Canada’s Executive Director Martin Goulet said. “She is a true inspiration and a real example of dedication; her impact on the Canadian water polo community goes well beyond statistics and results and her advocacy work has made her a leader in and out of the pool. Krystina leaves behind a great legacy, and we wish her all the best in her future projects. We are excited to see what’s next.”

Water Polo Canada passed a special resolution at its Sept. 3 board meeting expressing its gratitude for Alogbo’s contributions to the program.

Alogbo, a Montreal native, started playing at age 8. A multi-sport star in her youth, she focused on water polo and represented Team Quebec before making the national team at the junior and senior levels. Though she never got to play in an Olympics, she’s plied her traded professionally in Russia before the opportunity in Italy.

“It’s a new phase for me, and I’m so grateful for the people around me,” Krystina Alogbo said. “I wouldn’t be here without my family’s support, especially my mom and my sister, and of course, my teammates and the staff. People who sometimes operate in the shadows have had a significant impact on my career, and I want to thank them for always being by my side…they know who they are. I hope people remember me as an intense, competitive and passionate athlete; the next generation has to believe it. Canada can compete with the best teams, even right now. I am at peace with my decision, even though I didn’t get to go to the Olympics, it is time I passed the torch. As my mom and my sister told me, now it’s up to my nephews and nieces to fulfill the Games’ dream and let me tell you, they have my energy!”

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x