At the age of 92, Albina Deryugin passed away.
“It is with sadness that we announce that the heart of the legend of world rhythmic gymnastics, Hero of Ukraine, member of the Executive Committee of the NOC of Ukraine, honored coach of Ukraine Albina Mykolaivna Deryugina, has stopped at the age of 92. She came to artistic gymnastics at the dawn of its birth and is considered the founder of this sport in Ukraine.
Over the years of her work, she has raised more than one generation of gymnasts who have won Olympic awards, won at the world and European championships, increasing the sports glory of Ukraine,” the NOC said in a statement.
Among Deryugina’s pupils, her daughter – Iryna Deryugina (absolute world champion in 1977), Oleksandra Tymoshenko (Olympic champion in 1992), Oksana Skaldina (bronze Olympic medalist in 1992), Hanna Bezsonova (bronze Olympic medalist and absolute world champion in 2007), Anna Rizatdinova (2016 Olympic bronze medalist).
The Deryugin school consists of 3 generations. Iryna Deryugina is responsible for the choreography and costumes of the athletes, and her granddaughter Iryna Blokhina is the director of the numbers.
It should be noted that the legendary gymnast was awarded the “Order of Merit” of the 2nd degree and the Order of Princess Olga of the 3rd degree.
