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Viking names and family ties: Chile’s secret volleyball connection
Dusan Bonacic of Chile try to block the spike of Aboubacar Drame of Brazil during men´s volleyball Men Bronze Medal match between Brazil and Chile at Polideportivo Callao during Lima 2019 Pan American Games. (Photo by Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images)
LIMA, August 6, 2019 - 'No, it's nothing,' Dusan Bonacic Krogh responds to a question about the ice on his shoulder following his side’s loss to Brazil.The captain of the Chilean volleyball team has unusual features. Blue eyes, slender figure and light hair. His Nordic origin and attitude is evident. Marco Grimalt Krogh is his cousin and in this family the spiking gene is dominant.
When Marco lived in San Felipe and trained in Santiago, he was often welcomed by his cousin Dusan in his home. From then on, a close and warm relationship was forged between them. Dusan was struck by what his cousin was doing, but never enough to try himself. “When I was young I did a lot of sports until Marco convinced me to go to try at the Providencia Club, where he was for around two years. I realized that it was good, that things were going fast, ”he explains.
Dusan and Marco's mothers are sisters. Of five brothers, they are the youngest with just a year between them. “They spent all their childhood together in various parts of Chile. In Copiapó, in Santiago. If it comes with the genes how rich that these things are given to us, that we have this same passion, this love of the family for the volleyball that we have created.”
His relationship with volleyball started at thirteen. At fifteen, Daniel Nejamkin, coach of the national team today, took him on a tour with the adults. For Dusan, that trip was very special. “I was with Esteban and Marco Grimalt in their last indoor team championship. The three of us were all together and that for me was a huge joy. I did not make any points, but it was a dream come true for me, ”he says.
A bond that transcends family gatherings. Moreover, when both were staying in the Pan American Olympic Village, they were scheduled to share meals together. The big exception was not seeing Marco get the gold medal in Costa Verde. "It really is a point of pride for me, because I know all the work he has been doing for many years," he says.
As if that were not enough, the talent on the family court, his younger brother, Kaj Bonacic, also made a sports career in volleyball. “Perhaps the Grimalts have much more of a history with volleyball than the Kroghs. That passion for volleyball that infected us, we have continued to spread among us, in my family, my brother,” he says with a smile from ear to ear.
The origin of his name is pure Viking legacy. And you can see it. His leadership, temperament and court appearances are stoic. He may not have a medal, but he certainly left his mark.
When Marco lived in San Felipe and trained in Santiago, he was often welcomed by his cousin Dusan in his home. From then on, a close and warm relationship was forged between them. Dusan was struck by what his cousin was doing, but never enough to try himself. “When I was young I did a lot of sports until Marco convinced me to go to try at the Providencia Club, where he was for around two years. I realized that it was good, that things were going fast, ”he explains.
Dusan and Marco's mothers are sisters. Of five brothers, they are the youngest with just a year between them. “They spent all their childhood together in various parts of Chile. In Copiapó, in Santiago. If it comes with the genes how rich that these things are given to us, that we have this same passion, this love of the family for the volleyball that we have created.”
His relationship with volleyball started at thirteen. At fifteen, Daniel Nejamkin, coach of the national team today, took him on a tour with the adults. For Dusan, that trip was very special. “I was with Esteban and Marco Grimalt in their last indoor team championship. The three of us were all together and that for me was a huge joy. I did not make any points, but it was a dream come true for me, ”he says.
A bond that transcends family gatherings. Moreover, when both were staying in the Pan American Olympic Village, they were scheduled to share meals together. The big exception was not seeing Marco get the gold medal in Costa Verde. "It really is a point of pride for me, because I know all the work he has been doing for many years," he says.
As if that were not enough, the talent on the family court, his younger brother, Kaj Bonacic, also made a sports career in volleyball. “Perhaps the Grimalts have much more of a history with volleyball than the Kroghs. That passion for volleyball that infected us, we have continued to spread among us, in my family, my brother,” he says with a smile from ear to ear.
The origin of his name is pure Viking legacy. And you can see it. His leadership, temperament and court appearances are stoic. He may not have a medal, but he certainly left his mark.
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