Sinjin Smith

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameChristopher St. John "Sinjin"•Smith
Used nameSinjin•Smith
Born7 May 1957 in Santa Monica, California (USA)
Measurements190 cm / 86 kg
NOC United States

Biography

Sinjin Smith was a beach volleyball player who paired with Karch Kiraly in the 1980s to form the most dominant team on the beach. The team separated after Kiraly joined the US National Indoor team but Smith continued to be a dominant player outdoors. He won one US championship and two early World Championships with Randy Stoklos, and he and Stoklos are the all-time winningest team in beach volleyball (through 2018), with over 110 victories.

Smith attended college at UCLA where he played on the NCAA Championship teams as a freshman and senior, and he was named All-American in both his junior and senior years. Smith later became the main force behind the growth of beach volleyball as a sport, and helped develop the Association of Volleyball Professionals. He was on the Board of Directors of the AVP until 1989 and served as their President.

Sinjin won the Manhattan Beach Open seven times, in 1979 with former UCLA alum Jim Menges, and then in 1980-82, 1986, and 1989 (twice in 1980), teaming with Kiraly in 1980-81, and Stoklos in 1982, 1986 and 1989. Smith competed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but by then was in the twilight of his renowned career. He did win a bronze medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games.

Smith is a member of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame. He had a brief career as an actor, notably playing in an episode of “Magnum PI,” as Thomas Magnum’s volleyball partner.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1996 Summer Olympics Beach Volleyball (Volleyball) USA Sinjin Smith
Beach Volleyball, Men (Olympic) Carl Henkel =5