Yuliya Pechonkina facts for kids
Pechonkina in Osaka 2007
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| Born | 21 April 1978 Krasnoyarsk, Soviet Union |
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| Country |  Russia |
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| Sport | Women's athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Yuliya Sergeyevna Pechonkina, born Nosova on April 21, 1978, in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, is a famous former athlete. She was a specialist in two exciting track and field events: the 400 metres hurdles and the 4 × 400 metres relay. In the 400 metres hurdles, athletes run 400 meters while jumping over ten hurdles. In the 4 × 400 metres relay, a team of four runners each runs 400 meters.
Yuliya was once married to another athlete, Evgeny Pechonkin. She was known for being one of the best in the world in her events.
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A World Record Holder
Yuliya Pechonkina held the world record in the 400 metres hurdles for a long time. She set this amazing record of 52.34 seconds on August 8, 2003, in Tula, Russia. This record stood for almost 16 years! It was finally broken by another athlete, Dalilah Muhammad, on July 28, 2019.
Yuliya also helped set a record in a less common indoor relay race. This was the 4 × 200 metres relay, where her team ran it in 1 minute and 32.41 seconds. Her teammates were Yekaterina Kondratyeva, Irina Khabarova, and Yuliya Gushchina.
Health Challenges and Retirement
Throughout her career, Yuliya faced a recurring health issue called sinusitis. This is an illness that affects the sinuses, which are air-filled spaces in the bones of the face. Because of her health, she had to miss some big competitions. She could not compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics or the 2009 World Championships in Berlin.
After the 2009 World Championships, Yuliya decided to retire from athletics. She chose to stop competing because of her ongoing health problems. After leaving the world of sports, she started a new career in the banking sector.
Honoring Her Legacy
Even after her retirement, Yuliya Pechonkina's achievements are still remembered. There is an annual athletics meet held in Yerino, Russia, named after her. It is called the "Yuliya Pechonkina Prizes." This event celebrates her contributions to the sport.
Major Achievements
Yuliya Pechonkina won many medals during her career. She competed in some of the biggest athletics events in the world.
World Championships Success
- World Championships: Yuliya won two gold medals at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. She won gold in both the 400 metres hurdles and the 4 × 400 metres relay.
- She also earned silver medals in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, and the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan.
- In the 4 × 400 metres relay, she won a silver medal at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, France.
- She also took home bronze medals in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2001 World Championships and in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2003 World Championships.
Indoor Championships Medals
- World Indoor Championships: Yuliya won gold medals in the 4 × 400 metres relay at both the 2001 World Indoor Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, and the 2003 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
- European Indoor Championships: She also won a gold medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2005 European Indoor Championships in Madrid, Spain.
Olympic Games Participation
Yuliya competed in the Olympic Games twice.
- At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she reached the semifinals in the 400 metres hurdles.
- At the 2004 Athens Olympics, she finished 8th in the 400 metres hurdles final.
National Titles
Yuliya also won several national championships in Russia:
- Russian Athletics Championships: She was the national champion in the 400 metres hurdles in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
- Russian Indoor Athletics Championships: She won the 400 metres indoor title in 2002.
Personal Best Times
These are Yuliya Pechonkina's best times in her main events:
- 400 metres - 53.22 seconds (set in 2001)
- 400 metres hurdles - 52.34 seconds (set in 2003)
See also
In Spanish: Yulia Pechónkina para niños
- List of World Athletics Championships medalists (women)
- List of European Athletics Indoor Championships medalists (women)
- List of people from Krasnoyarsk
- Russia at the World Athletics Championships
- 4 × 400 metres relay at the World Championships in Athletics
