Constantine Kudaba

Biography

Constantine Kudaba is one of the veterans of the men’s national team, having first joined the senior squad in 2005. Since that time, he’s competed at four editions of the FINA World Championships (2007-13), highlighted by a best-ever eighth place finish in 2009. At Beijing 2008 he was part of Canada’s first men’s Olympic water polo team in 24 years. Kudaba has also competed at two Pan American Games, helping Canada win bronze at Rio 2007 and silver at Guadalajara 2011. In 2014 he helped Canada to a best ever sixth place finish in the FINA Water Polo World League Super Final.

GETTING TO KNOW…

Family: Father Tomas Kudaba is a former CFL guard… Mother Sally McQuade Kudaba is a former elite long distance runner… Older sister Sarah… Younger brother Andre is a former national junior team swimmer…

Getting into the Sport: Started playing water polo at age 14 because he found it more enjoyable than swimming… Outside Interests: Graduated from University of Calgary in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies… Currently studying online through Athabasca University and Thompson Rivers University… Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “I hated every minute of training. Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” – Muhammed Ali… Has a red bandana for good luck… Pregame routine includes coffee and yogurt, watching a TV show or movie, and listening to calm or indie music on the way to the pool… Collects beer bottles from his international travels… Nickname: C… Olympic dream sparked by watching Donovan Bailey win 100m gold at Atlanta 1996…