Irina Deryugina is a real star and legend of the Soviet sport of high achievements. The only representative of the Soviet Union who twice became the world champion in rhythmic gymnastics in the overall standings. Soviet sport did not know more talent, not a single star shone so brightly yet.
After completing active performances in sports, Irina Ivanovna did not leave rhythmic gymnastics, switching to coaching, and later opening her own school. Many of her pupils achieved the highest achievements in the international sports arena. Irina Deryugina is still in the spotlight today. She is not only a venerable youth mentor and an authoritative judge of competitions, but also a successful business woman, although she has a very difficult character.
The birth of a future star
Irina Ivanovna Deryugina was born into a sports family. Her father - Ivan Konstantinovich - wore the proud title of Olympic champion in pentathlon. And my mother - Albina Nikolaevna - was the leading trainer of the Ukrainian Republic in rhythmic gymnastics. Thus, the future of the girl born on January 11, 1958 in Kiev and named Irina, was almost predetermined. She simply had to become an athlete.
And indeed, since childhood, Irina devotedly engaged in rhythmic gymnastics under the guidance of her mother. Moreover, at the age of 10, Irina Deryugina was also admitted to the Higher Ballet School, which she successfully graduated from. In parallel with appearances for the USSR national team, Irina graduated from the Kiev Institute of Physical Education in 1980.
Sports career of Irina Deryugina
A talented athlete was in the titled team of the USSR at the age of 14. Then it was very difficult to do this, since this medley-consuming kind was the visiting card of the USSR and the competition among gymnasts was insanely high. Soviet sport has not yet seen such a huge talent. For 11 years of her performances for the national team (from 1972 to 1982) I. Deryugina managed to become one of the most titled gymnasts not only of the Soviet Union, but of the whole world.
Gymnast Irina Deryugina as many as five times became the absolute champion of the Union, as many times won this title in the USSR Cup, became the 4-time winner of the then prestigious Intervision Cup. At international competitions of the highest rank, Deryugin twice (in 1977 and 1979) became the absolute winner of the world championships, which not one of the Soviet gymnasts succeeded either before or after.
How successful Irina Deryugina was in her youth, eloquently speaks of her unique achievement. For five years (from 1975 to 1979, inclusive), she only once missed a rival to the highest step - this happened at the 1978 European Championship.
End of career and coaching
In 1982, Irina Deryugina finished performing on the international stage - in gymnastics, 24 years old is considered a fairly respectable age. But her sports career continued in another form. Together with her mother Albina Nikolaevna, she formed a coaching duet, who led the team of the Ukrainian SSR. A talented athlete and an outstanding trainer (Albina Deryugina subsequently even received the title of Hero of Ukraine) raised a number of outstanding gymnasts, among which there are two Olympic champions and eleven world champions.
Over 20 years of mentoring Irina Ivanovna Deryugina, her pupils won 120 gold medals and 30 awards forged from silver and bronze at international competitions of various ranks, including competitions at the highest level, Olympics, world and European forums.
School of rhythmic gymnastics of mother and daughter Deryugin
With the advent of new economic realities in the countries of the former USSR and with the independence of Ukraine, Albina and Irina Deryuginy opened their own private family school of rhythmic gymnastics. At the same time, Irina did not leave her post at the head of the national team. Such a combination is quite in the character of Irina Ivanovna. According to the testimony of people who know Deryugin well, she was always distinguished by her incredible ability to work and the ability to endure. She herself says either in jest, or in earnest that she is one of the most injured athletes in the history of rhythmic gymnastics. Big sport taught her to endure pain and go to her goal, not paying attention to any difficulties.
The official activities of Irina Deryugina
In addition to coaching, Irina Deryugina at different times performed other duties. So, for example, she has been holding a judge’s patent for a long time, allowing her to participate in the jury of international competitions of the highest rank. In addition, already in independent Ukraine, she became the vice-president of the national federation of her favorite sport, and was the organizer of the rather prestigious Deryugina Cup competitions. At the same time, Irina Ivanovna, who is so good at mentoring, bears the title of academician of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sports, from time to time performing teaching functions within the walls of the university.
Irina Deryugina: personal life
At one time, even during the period of active performances for the USSR national team, the young Deryugina met with the famous football player of Kiev Dynamo and the USSR national team Oleg Blokhin. The wedding of two legendary athletes, held in the Olympic 1980, was the subject of heated discussion not only in sports circles, but throughout the country. Such a happy marriage of two prominent personalities with a stubborn character was too beautiful to be true. Nevertheless, in 1983, the couple had a daughter - Irina Olegovna Blokhina. And the marriage itself lasted until 2000, when the couple decided to leave, having issued a divorce.
By the way, the daughter of Blokhin and Deryugina, too, was not deprived of talent. The well-known actress and singer in Ukraine, Irina Olegovna Blokhina, became the author of the words and performer of the Euro 2012 football anthem, which Poland and Ukraine held together.
The current life of Irina Deryugina
To this day, Irina Ivanovna Deryugina holds the responsible post of head coach of the national team of her country. From time to time, various scandals related to the corruption component and the dissatisfaction of individual athletes and coaches with the too authoritarian style of leadership of Deryugina become the property of the press. But such is the character of the famous athlete - strong-willed, ambitious and uncompromising.
However, Irina Deryugina is not used to scandals and conflicts. As a judge, she was twice disqualified by the International Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics. And both times - on charges of biased judging. The first time (in 2000, in Zaragoza) she was removed from refereeing for 1 year. But the second time (in April 2008), the punishment was much more severe - 8 years of disqualification. However, after considering the appeal, the sentence was reduced by exactly half.
Business of Irina Deryugina
In addition to the fact that Deryugina has a private school of rhythmic gymnastics, she is also engaged in other types of business that are in no way connected with sports. According to information regularly found in the press, Irina Ivanovna, together with her ex-husband Oleg Blokhin, owns a construction company and an enterprise specializing in retail trade.
The fact that Irina Ivanovna Deryugina can be successful not only as an athlete, coach or sports functionary, but also as an entrepreneur is evidenced by the fact that she repeatedly appeared in the first hundred of the rating of the popular Ukrainian publication Focus.
This rating, which includes the most influential women of Ukraine, brings the last rich touch to the bright and diverse portrait of Irina Deryugina.