Vitaly Kuznetsov

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameVitaly Yakovlevich•Kuznetsov
Used nameVitaly•Kuznetsov
Original nameВиталий Яковлевич•Кузнецов
Born16 February 1941 in Novo-Mazino, Respublika Tatarstan (RUS)
Died12 October 2011 in Moskva (Moscow), Moskva (RUS)
Measurements180 cm / 112 kg
AffiliationsVS Moskva, Moskva (RUS)
NOC Soviet Union
Nationality Russian Federation
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Vitaly Kuznetsov participated in wrestling before taking up sambo (a Soviet wrestling style similar to judo) in 1961 while serving in the Soviet Army. During his career Kuznetsov won a 1972 Olympic open class silver, the 1971 European Championships open class title, the 1972 European Championships team title, 1969 and 1972 European Championships heavyweight bronzes and 1969 and 1971 European Championship team bronzes.

Kuznetsov also won the sambo World Championships heavyweight title in 1975 and the sambo European Championships heavyweight title in 1972. Domestically, Kuznetsov never won a Soviet judo title, but he was Soviet sambo heavyweight champion in 1968, 1971-72, 1975, and 1978-79 and Soviet sambo open class champion in 1974 and 1976-77.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1972 Summer Olympics Judo URS RUS Vitaly Kuznetsov
Open Class, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
1980 Summer Olympics Judo URS RUS Vitaly Kuznetsov
Heavyweight, Men (Olympic) =10