One of Ukraine’s greatest sports legends has died. A statement was released

The news of the death of Albina Deryugina spread widely throughout the Eastern Bloc of Europe. Her services to Ukrainian rhythmic gymnastics are invaluable, and at the same time unsurpassed by any previous competitor. At first she achieved success as a professional and regular gymnast, and then became a coach in this discipline, which also turned out to be a definite plus. It is worth adding that she was the ancestor of this sport in Ukraine. The official statement revealed how she died.

Albina Deryugina died

The deceased artistic gymnast has had the honorary title of Hero of Ukraine since 2002. Due to her merit, she was hailed as a legendary artistic gymnast in her country, as well as one of the best in the history of the sport. She was born in 1932 to Ivan Deryugin, an Olympic champion in modern pentathlon. They had a daughter, Irina Deryugina, who over the years followed in her mother’s footsteps and also became a talented gymnast.

In 1995, the daughter of Albina Deryugina, as a tribute to her mother, established the Deryugina Cup, that is, international competitions in artistic gymnastics in Kyiv, which attracted hundreds of gymnasts from all over the world. After the end of her career, the deceased woman became a coach, and one of her best students was her daughter Irina. She trained her to the point where she won two gold medals at the World Championships in 1977 and 1979. Years later, she also refused to participate in competitions and together trained young gymnasts, who, under their guidance, won as many as 120 gold medals.

The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine said goodbye to Albina Deriugina

The official announcement of the death of the legendary rhythmic gymnast appeared on the social networks of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

“We are sad to announce that at the age of 92, the heart of the legend of world rhythmic gymnastics, the honored coach of Ukraine, Albina Nikolaevna Deryugina, stopped,” we read.