Q+a [karch Kiraly]

By finishing Third and pulling in $3,750 with partner Brent Doble at the AVP Shootout last Saturday, the three-time Olympic gold medalist became the first beach volleyball player to earn $3 million in career prize money.

SI: You've won a record 143 beach tournaments, but you've been battling injuries in recent years and you'll turn 42 in November. How much longer can you go?

Kiraly: Well, Sinjin Smith [second with 139 career victories and retired last year] showed it's possible to play effectively into your mid-408. I look at each year as potentially my last, but if I have fun and compete well, then I play the next year. That's happened this summer, so I'm coming back.

SI: Would you advise parents to name their kids Karch?

Kiraly: Probably not. My wife, Janna, and I named ours Kristian and Kory. I've had a few dogs named after me, though.

SI: How important is a good tan to your game?

Kiraly: It definitely helps protect against sunburn. It's no fun out there when you're glowing lobster red. It makes it too easy for your opponents to see you.

SI: Some men wouldn't be comfortable having a hot-pink Speedo hat as a trademark.

Kiraly: Hey, I'm just fine with it.

SI: Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Walton loved and played volleyball. Do basketball players make good volleyball players?