Pietro Figlioli (born 29 May 1984 in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...

) is an Italian water polo

Water polo

Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...

 player. Figlioli was part of Australia's Olympic squad for the 2004

2004 Summer Olympics

The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...

 and 2008 Summer Olympics

2008 Summer Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...

. He was also a member of the Australian squad that finished 10th at the 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne and won the bronze medal at the 2007 FINA Water Polo World League

FINA Water Polo World League

The FINA Water Polo World League began in 2002 to capitalize on increased worldwide popularity of water polo created by recent Olympic Games, especially in Europe, North America and Australia. Competition between the world’s best male players began on national teams in a season format with a prize...

 in Berlin. Figlioli is widely regarded as the fastest swimmer and shooter in world water polo.

In May 2009, Figlioli signed a deal with Italian club Pro Recco

Pro Recco

A.S.D. Pro Recco are an Italian water polo club from Recco in Liguria.Pro Recco was founded in 1913 as Rari Nantes Enotria...

, that included becoming an Italian citizen, to comply with the Italian league's rule changes to restrict extra-European players from two to one player per team.

Early career

Figlioli started competing with the North Brisbane Polo Bears at Albany Creek, Queensland, Australia. His father José Fiolo

José Fiolo

José Sylvio Fiolo is a former international breaststroke swimmer from Brazil, who participated for his native country at three consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 1968. He is best known for claiming the gold medal in both individual breaststroke events at the 1967 Pan American Games in...

 represented Brazil at the 1968

1968 Summer Olympics

The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...

 and 1972 Summer Olympics

1972 Summer Olympics

The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....

in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events and the medley relay.