Anna Nazarova of Russia competes in the Long Jump qualifications (© Getty Images)
The traditional Vladimir Dyachkov and Nickolai Ozolin Memorial was held in Moscow. Dyachkov and Ozolin are known in Russia as the first class coaches. But in their youth they won a lot of tournaments. Dyachkov was the USSR High Jump and Pole Vault champion, and Ozolin the Pole Vault and Ski Jumping champion.
After pinning up to the wall their sport shoes they brought up a lot of talented athletes. For instance Dyachkov was the coach of the so called Cosmic High Jumper Valeriy Brumel and Robert Shavlakadze – both of his disciples won Olympic gold medals. Ozolin was the one who launched the Soviet system of preparation of high class athletes.
The first Memorial organized by Dyachkov’s devoted students was held in 1981. Ozolin died in 2000. And since then it is bearing the names of the two outstanding athletes and coaches. Gradually the tournament turned out to be international and this was the 17th International Memorial.
Women’s Long Jump World Lead
24-year-old Anna Nazarova made the public in the arena of the Russian State Academy of Physical Culture and Sport burst into applause. She leaped 6.72m for the Women’s Long Jump World Season’s best. One more effort at 6.63m also proved that she is currently in excellent form. Her previous season’s best was 6.64m.
“I started athletics at 8 years old,” Nazarova said. “I was living in St. Petersburg and the name of my coach was Valeriy Metelskiy. But two years ago I moved to Moscow where I’m living know. Now my coach is Victor Kuzin. I’m planning to take part in the “Russian Winter” tournament and then at the Russian Indoor Nationals.
“Two years ago I won the U-23 European Championship. My personal indoor best is 6.75 and my personal outdoor best is 6.81. Now I’m striving to improve the results.”
Marya Sokova who is 40 years old was second with a best effort of 6.31. She is more known like a triple jumper.
19-year-old Sergei Nickolaev was the best in the men’s Long Jump at 7.61m leaving behind Vladimir Golovin at 7.53m.
The men’s Triple jump turned out to be a four-way battle. Lyukman Adams landed at 16.73. He was followed by Taras Moiseyenko (16.56), Igor Spasovkhodskiy (16.53) and Alexander Sergeev (16.50).
One successful effort was enough for Viktor Chistaykov to win the men’s Pole Vault. He cleared 5.40m with his first attempt but then failed at the next height.
The women’s Pole Vault was dominated by Anastasiya Savchenko at 4.30m. The 20-year-old Yekaterina Kolesova cleared 4.10.
Leonid Birukov who is 19 years old cleared 2.10m in the men’s High Jump.
Usually there are only jumps in the programme of the Memorial. But this time both men and women competed at 600m. Olga Soldatova clocked a very fast 1:27.81 with Anna Balakshina finishing runner-up with 1:28.34. Vyacheslav Sokolov was the unexpected winner at 600m with 1:18.94. Sokolov is considered to be a specialist of 800 and 1500m so his victory at the distance promises even better results for the rest of the season.
Nickolai Dolgopolov and Rostislav Orlov for the IAAF
