Uljana Semjonova facts for kids
Stefania Passaro boxing out Semjonova in 1982
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| Born | 9 March 1952 Zarasai, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union |
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| Nationality | Latvian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 127 kg (280 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Pro career | 1968–1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1968–1987 | TTT Riga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1988 | Tintoretto Getafe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988–1989 | Valenciennes-Orchies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Uļjana Semjonova (born March 9, 1952) is a famous retired Latvian basketball player. She played for the Soviet Union national team.
Semjonova was one of the best women's basketball players in the world during the 1970s and 1980s. She was known for her incredible height and skill on the court. She wore a men's size 21 (US) shoe, which was very large for a woman.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Uļjana Semjonova was born in Zarasai, which was part of the Soviet Union at the time. She started her basketball career in 1968. For most of her playing years, she played for a team called TTT Riga.
Success with TTT Riga
With TTT Riga, Semjonova achieved amazing success. Her team won 15 championships in the Soviet Union. They also won the European Champion's Cup 15 times. This shows how dominant her team was during that period.
International Achievements
Semjonova was also incredibly successful in international games. She played for the USSR national team. She helped her team win two Olympic Gold medals.
Olympic Gold Medals
She won her first Olympic gold medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Four years later, she won her second gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. It's remarkable that she never lost a single game in official international competitions.
World and European Championships
Beyond the Olympics, Semjonova also won many gold medals at other major tournaments. She won three FIBA World Championships with the Soviet Union team. She also won ten European Championships. Her team was almost unbeatable.
Hall of Fame Recognition
Uļjana Semjonova's incredible career earned her a place in several prestigious basketball halls of fame. These honors celebrate her lasting impact on the sport.
Basketball Hall of Fame
In 1993, she made history by becoming the first non-US woman to be included in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is a very high honor in basketball.
Other Recognitions
She was also one of the first members of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2007, she was honored again by being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame. That same year, she received the Lifetime Contribution to Sport award in Latvia. This award recognized her long and successful career.
Legacy
Uļjana Semjonova retired from playing basketball in 1989. Her career spanned over 20 years. She is remembered as one of the greatest women's basketball players of all time. Her achievements continue to inspire new generations of athletes.
See also
In Spanish: Uliana Semiónova para niños
