Soviet gymnast Natalia Kuchinskaya A.: biography, accomplishments and interesting facts

Natalia Kuchinskaya – the best gymnast of the late 60-ies, the legend of Soviet sport. Already in its first international competition (the world championship in Dortmund) seventeen-year-old Natasha won six medals, half of which were gold. Similar results at this age is not reached yet, none of the gymnasts of the world. Her gorgeous technique and amazing grace has astonished the whole world. Fans were looking forward to her performances.

Career athletes

Kuchinskaya N. A., whose biography is closely connected with sports, was born in Leningrad on March 12, 1949. Kuchinsky family can safely be called a sport: his father was master of sports in several types, mother – a rhythmic gymnastics coach. This circumstance largely determined the fate of the girls, the fate of the most beautiful sportswomen in the history of artistic gymnastics, for which sport has become the biggest passion in life.

After Graduating in 1966, she immediately entered Leningrad University to study psychology. Natalia Kuchinskaya, gymnastics has become a matter of life, explains his action by the fact that in sports psychology is of great importance, and to achieve significant victories, the athlete requires serious knowledge in this field.

Later in the biographies of the athletes was the world gymnastics Championships, held in 1966 in Dortmund (Western Germany), where the young Soviet gymnast, became a triple world champion.

In the period from 1965 по1968 participated in the USSR Championships of gymnastics, won the title of absolute champion.

In 1968, Natalya becomes a two-time champion held in Mexico Olympic games.

It Seemed that the future of the gymnasts is light and wonderful, however in reality this was not so. According to the chief coach of the national team of the USSR Larisa Latynina, at some point in the character of Natasha, something snapped, and sport ceased to be her main business of life. Affected, perhaps, that aerial gymnastics, the representative of which was Kuchinsky, irrevocably left in the past.

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Next was an unsuccessful search for the self outside the sport, a divorce from her husband. In the early 90-ies Natalia moved to the United States of America, where he again reunited with her ex-husband, organized in the state of Illinois a private gymnastics club, which trains young athletes.

The Beginning of the path to the sport

Natalia Kuchinskaya from an early age began to learn the parents to the sport. Interestingly, the mother “stretch” Natasha is already two months old. Similar attention was paid, and younger sister Natasha, Marina, who later also achieved some results, becoming the honoured master of sports in gymnastics.

Recalls Natalia Kuchinskaya, all her childhood was spent in the gym where my mom coached athletes in rhythmic gymnastics.

The atmosphere that surrounds all the time the girl in the end, caused her desire to become the best of the best, that is, champion of the world. Sports rage in young gymnasts was enough to achieve this goal, although, according to most Kuchinsky, special data she had, in addition to the capacity for long-term training without outside interference. Of course, a future star of Soviet sport was modest, as evidenced by the upcoming competition in the West German city of Dortmund.

Star Dortmund Natalia Kuchinskaya

Young gymnast Natalia Kuchinskaya burst into the highest echelons of world sport. Held in 1966 in Dortmund (Germany) world Cup gymnastics lit her star on the sports horizon. Three gold medals at this age were not able to win anyone else. The whole world was conquered by the directness of the girl.

Excellent technique, grace and personal charm allowed Kuczynski to immediately achieve excellent results in the competition at this level. Young age does not become it a hindrance. On the contrary, from this moment all supporters of gymnastics began to look forward to the Olympics in Mexico, which was held in 1968.

Olympics in Mexico city, 1968

Natalia Kuchinskaya by this time, was the undoubted leader of the team of the Soviet Union. The Olympic team also included People Tourischeva, Larisa Petrik, Luba Burda Olga Karaseva and Zinaida Voronina.

It Should be noted that at that time a formidable rival of the USSR national team was the team of Czechoslovakia, led by the absolute champion of the Games in Tokyo, the world champion, Dortmund's championship Faith Zaslavsky.

The Voltage of the first day's main sports event was so great that Natasha did not submit bars in my burpees - very simple element, which she could perform with her eyes closed. And ahead was the second day and free program.

It Seemed that all was lost, but the girl showed his anger in full measure.

The Result was a bronze medal, which caused more rejoicing than “silver” Zinaida Voronina.

The Third day of competition was a triumph for Natasha. «Gold» at exercises onbalance beam – is it not a triumph for athletes, disrupt performance on the uneven bars!

Life outside the sport

The Complex and vulnerable nature of the changed realities in the sport, the injury led to the fact that Natalia Kuchinskaya retired from the sport. However, life outside of sports was no less difficult for girls. Acting, journalism – all this did not become the new “business of life”.

After graduating from the Institute of physical education went to Japan, but a year later returned home. But there it was waiting for lack of money and neglect, divorce from her husband. Husband left for the United States, and Natalia remained in Kiev.

Next was life, rapidly rolling to “bottom”. Only due to the fact that interfered with the ex-husband of Natalia Alexandrovna (took her to America), she now works as a gymnastics coach, prepared champion of USA.

Interesting facts about the life of gymnasts

Natalia Kuchinskaya, Soviet gymnast-beauty almost became a member of the family of the President of Mexico. The fact that seventeen-year-old athlete for his performances at the Olympics in Mexico in 1968, combining a brilliant technique and amazing grace, “love” almost all men of Mexico.

Was No exception and the son of the President of the country. Young Soviet sportswoman senior groom even offered the hand and heart, but the girl refused him.

Also, an interesting story happened with a girl on the first day of competition in Mexico city, when in the evening to her in the Olympic village were members of the organizing Committee of the Olympic games. Your unexpected visit, they explained that Natalia Kuchinskaya unanimously chosen "bride of Mexico” as the most beautiful girl, and must give a sacrifice to the gods. Of course, the gymnast was amazed at this “honor” and said that she was from the Soviet Union and it is not something to sacrifice.

This statement caused a smile among the guests, but still in “victim” was taken lovely pictures of athletes and catchy headlines about it.

Awards Kuchinsky

Natalia Kuchinskaya, awards which, given its rapid ascent to Olympus gymnastics can cause only admiration, for a relatively short time (1966-1968) was able to put in their ‘piggy Bank” enough.

In 1966, the world championship in gymnastics brought her six medals: three gold, two silver and one bronze (floor exercise, balance beam and bars – gold, individual and team all-around – silver, vault – bronze).

At the European championship in 1967 for floor exercises and exercises on the balance beam Natalia won the silver medal of the competition.

In the same year in the USSR championship, she won the title of the strongest in the vault and uneven bars.

The Olympic games in Mexico (1968) showed that Soviet athlete - the strongest gymnast of the world in exercises on a log. The team gymnasts of the Soviet Union, which included Kuchinsky, also had the strongest.

In 1969 for outstanding achievement in sports Natalya Aleksandrovna was awarded the order ‘badge of Honor”.

In 2006, the US authorities decided the introduction of Natalia Kuchinskaya “international gymnastics hall of Fame" (Oklahoma city).

Kuchinsky as a unique phenomenon in sport

The Soviet gymnastics knew and more titled athletes – Polina Astakhova and Larisa Latynina. The names of these girls rattled at many Olympic games. However, there was a more direct and charismatic gymnasts than Natasha Kuchinskaya.

About her filmmaker Vladimir Savelyev was filmed a great movie called "Na-TA-Lee!”, and journalists paid attention to her as much as was awarded to other members of the USSR team in gymnastics.

Unfortunately, her athletic fate was complicated and dramatic. The athlete is not able to fully realize their unique talent.