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Sergey Diomidov facts for kids

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Sergey Diomidov
Full name Sergey Viktorovich Diomidov
Country represented Soviet Union
Born (1943-07-09)9 July 1943
Turtkul, Karakalpak ASSR, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union
Died 10 March 2024(2024-03-10) (aged 80)
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Discipline Men's artistic gymnastics
Club Vooruzhyonnykh Sily Toshkent
Eponymous skills Diomidov (parallel bars)
Medal record
Men's artistic gymnastics
Representing  Soviet Union
Olympic Games
Silver 1964 Tokyo Team
Silver 1968 Mexico City Team
Bronze 1968 Mexico City Vault
World Championships
Gold 1966 Dortmund Parallel bars
Silver 1966 Dortmund Team
Silver 1970 Ljubljana Team
European Championships
Bronze 1965 Antwerp All-around
Bronze 1965 Antwerp Pommel horse
Bronze 1965 Antwerp Parallel bars
Bronze 1965 Antwerp Horizontal bar

Sergey Viktorovich Diomidov was a very talented gymnast from the Soviet Union. He was born on July 9, 1943, and passed away on March 10, 2024, at the age of 80. Sergey competed in two Olympic Games, showing his amazing skills to the world. He won silver medals with his team in both the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He also earned a bronze medal for his performance on the vault in 1968. What's really cool is that Sergey Diomidov even invented his own special move on the parallel bars, which is still known by his name today!

Who Was Sergey Diomidov?

Sergey Diomidov was a celebrated gymnast whose career spanned many years. He was known for his dedication and skill, especially on the parallel bars.

Early Life and Training

From 1961 to 1967, Sergey trained hard at the Army Forces Club in Tashkent, which is in Uzbekistan. This was a very important time for him to develop his gymnastics abilities. Later, in 1968, he moved to Moscow. There, he continued his training at the CSKA club, where he was coached by Konstantin Karakashyants. Sergey retired from competitive gymnastics in 1972. After his sports career, he served in the military and achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Olympic and World Championship Success

Sergey Diomidov's career was full of impressive achievements. Besides his two silver medals with the Soviet team at the Olympic Games, he also helped his team win two silver medals at the World Championships in 1966 and 1970. At the 1966 World Championships in Dortmund, Germany, he achieved a gold medal specifically for his incredible performance on the parallel bars. He also won several other medals at championships held in the Soviet Union and across Europe, showing he was one of the best gymnasts of his time.

The Famous Diomidov Skill

One of the most lasting legacies of Sergey Diomidov is the gymnastics move he invented on the parallel bars. This skill is officially named the "Diomidov" after him! It's a challenging and exciting move that requires great strength and control.

How the Diomidov Skill Works

Imagine a gymnast starting in a handstand position on the parallel bars. For the Diomidov skill, the gymnast swings down from the handstand, moving through a support position. Then, they quickly release one hand from the bar and twist their body a full turn (360 degrees) in the air. After this amazing twist, they quickly regrasp the bar with both hands, returning to a handstand position. It's a very dynamic and impressive maneuver! This skill is similar to another move called the Stutz handstand, but the Stutz involves only a half-turn and releasing both hands, making the Diomidov unique with its full twist and single-hand release.

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