Romanian international with Bulgarian roots Daniel Kitsigoi continues to impress in the Japanese championship. The 21-year-old outside hitter played an exceptionally strong match for Suntory Sunbirds in their 3:2 victory over VC Nagano Tridents in the Japanese SV League.
Kitsigoi finished with 24 points, including 20 from attack with an impressive 83.3% success rate. From 24 attacks, he made only one error, which secured him an exceptionally high 79.2% attack efficiency. To this, he added 3 successful blocks and 1 ace, and his efficiency rating reached +19.
The Varna-born volleyball player also recorded 8 digs in defense and 30% positive reception. His performance is further proof of the serious development of the young outside hitter, who already plays an important role in the Japanese grand's squad.
The Bulgarian connection
Daniel Kitsigoi was born on March 10, 2005, in Varna. His mother is former Bulgarian international Radostina Rangelova-Kitsigoi, a bronze medalist from the 2001 European Championship, and his father Cristian Kitsigoi is a former Romanian international.
The volleyball traditions in the family continue on his father's side as well. His grandfather Constantin Kitsigoi is a former Romanian international who participated in the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972.
Although born in Bulgaria and having Bulgarian roots, Daniel chose to represent Romania on the international stage.
As VolleyWeek revealed on October 21, in 2021, Bulgaria took concrete steps to attract the then 16-year-old talent to the national team. Vladimir Nikolov confirmed that he personally initiated the attempt, but a disagreement from one of the parents thwarted the intention.
Thus, today Kitsigoi is among Romania's most promising volleyball players, and his impressive performances in Japan once again highlight the talent with Bulgarian roots who could have worn Bulgaria's national jersey.

photo: Nikolay Varadinov