Dmitry Bilozerchev

Dmitry Vladimirovich Bilozerchev (Russian: Дмитрий Владимирович Билозерчев, born 22 December 1966 in Moscow) is a Russian gymnastics coach and retired gymnast who represented the Soviet Union. One of the most accomplished gymnasts in history, he is a two-time World All-Around Champion and three-time Olympic Champion. He trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Moscow.[1]

Dmitry Bilozerchev
Dmitry Bilozerchev in 1987
Personal information
Full nameDmitry Vladimirovich Bilozerchev
Country represented Soviet Union
Born (1966-12-22) 22 December 1966
Moscow, Russia
Height1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight70 kg (154 lb)
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
ClubCSKA Moscow
Medal record
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place1988 SeoulTeam competition
Gold medal – first place1988 SeoulPommel horse
Gold medal – first place1988 SeoulRings
Bronze medal – third place1988 SeoulAll-around
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1983 BudapestAll-around
Gold medal – first place1983 BudapestPommel horse
Gold medal – first place1983 BudapestStill rings
Gold medal – first place1983 BudapestHigh bar
Gold medal – first place1987 RotterdamTeam competition
Gold medal – first place1987 RotterdamAll-around
Gold medal – first place1987 RotterdamPommel horse
Gold medal – first place1987 RotterdamHigh bar
Silver medal – second place1983 BudapestTeam competition
Silver medal – second place1983 BudapestFloor exercise
Silver medal – second place1987 RotterdamStill rings
Silver medal – second place1987 RotterdamParallel bars
European Championships
Gold medal – first place1983 VarnaAll-around
Gold medal – first place1983 VarnaStill rings
Gold medal – first place1983 VarnaVault
Gold medal – first place1983 VarnaHigh bar
Gold medal – first place1985 OsloAll-around
Gold medal – first place1985 OsloFloor exercise
Gold medal – first place1985 OsloPommel horse
Gold medal – first place1985 OsloStill rings
Gold medal – first place1985 OsloParallel bars
Gold medal – first place1985 OsloHigh bar
Silver medal – second place1985 OsloVault
Friendship Games
Gold medal – first place1984 OlomoucTeam competition
Gold medal – first place1984 OlomoucAll-around
Gold medal – first place1984 OlomoucHigh bar
Gold medal – first place1984 OlomoucPommel horse
Gold medal – first place1984 OlomoucStill rings
Bronze medal – third place1984 OlomoucVault

Known for his exemplary form, style, and technique, in 1983 Bilozerchev became the youngest men's World All-Around Champion in history. He then went on to win 5 gold medals at the 1984 Friendship Games, which served as the alternate Olympic Games for the communist nations that boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The following year, he shattered his leg in 41 places in a car crash. The injury was so devastating that doctors were going to amputate the limb were it not for his status as World Champion. In a remarkable comeback, Bilozerchev went on to reclaim his title as World All-Around Champion in 1987 even though his leg was never the same. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, he won gold medals in the pommel horse, still rings, and in the team competition. He took bronze in the All-Around competition after a mistake on the horizontal bar. Had the competition been held under the new life rule, where all previous scores are dropped, he would have won the gold medal over teammate Vladimir Artemov. [2]

In 1993 he moved to the United States. Together with his wife he owns "The United Sports Academy" in Beaverton, Oregon, where he coaches gymnastics.[3] His son Aleksey and daughter Alice are also artistic gymnasts.[4] In 2003 he was inducted to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.[5]

References

  1. (in Russian) Great Olympic Encyclopedia, vol.1–2, Moscow: Olympia Press Publisher, 2006, entry on "Билозерчев", available online
  2. Dmitry Bilozerchev Archived 2009-05-22 at the Wayback Machine. sports-reference.com
  3. unitedsportsacademy.tripod.com
  4. Bilozertchev: The U.S.’s new secret agent? gymblog.wordpress.com (2007-08-28)
  5. "DIMITRI BILOZERTCHEV". International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
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