Eric "The Body" Fonoimoana struck Olympic Gold at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney and has been a dominant and consistent force on the AVP Tour since winning his first event in 1994. He won at least one tournament for seven straight years between 1998 and 2004, claiming titles with five different partners in addition to winning an individual event.

2002 proved to be Fonoimoana's year to shine - he reached the finals six times and won four titles with former partner Dax Holdren and was also named AVP's Most Valuable Player.

In 2005 Fonoimoana reached the top 10 in terms of all-time tournaments played, and is rapidly approaching the $1 million mark in career earnings.

A true community activist, Fonoimoana has dedicated much of his winnings and time off the beach to his foundation "Dig for Kids" which helps kids in inner cities excel in school and volleyball.

Fonoimoana grew up in Manhattan Beach, California as the youngest of three brothers, Kirk, Scott and Toa and two sisters, Debbie and Lelei. Lelei was a swimmer in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Eric attended Mira Costa High School, the same school his parents attended, where he started his volleyball career. The volleyball team there now hands out an annual Eric Fonoimoana Commitment Award. Fonoimoana continued to play at UC-Santa Barbara where he was named MVP his senior year and graduated with a degree in Sociology.

His cousins, Al and Nick Hannemann, also played on the AVP Tour. Fonoimoana currently resides in Hermosa Beach, California with his wife Eliza.

Favorite Movie: CaddyShack... Favorite Band: Busta Rhymes... Favorite Show: CSI... Role Model: Michael Jordan... Sponsors: Nautica, Wilson, Oakley, Nutrition Express... Favorite Meal: Mexican

If you weren't playing professional volleyball, what would you be doing?

Real Estate

• CBVA Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame 2013
• AVP Most Valuable Player 2002