Viktor Chukarin

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameViktor Ivanovich•Chukarin
Used nameViktor•Chukarin
Original nameВиктор Иванович•Чукарин
Other namesViktor Ivanovych Chukarin, Віктор Іванович Чукарін
Born9 November 1921 in Krasnoarmeyskoye, Donetsk (UKR)
Died25 August 1984 in Lviv, Lviv (UKR)
AffiliationsIskra Lviv, Lviv (UKR) / Burevestnik Lviv, Lviv (UKR)
NOC Soviet Union
Nationality Ukraine
Medals OG
Gold 7
Silver 3
Bronze 1
Total 11

Biography

Viktor Chukarin was a former World War II prisoner-of-war, who was 30 years old when the USSR first competed at the Olympic Games in 1952. Despite these handicaps, he dominated the gymnastics competition in Helsinki, winning the all-around title in addition to taking gold in the team event and four medals in the individual apparatus events – gold on the pommelled horse and horse vault, and silver on the parallel bars and rings. In 1956, he successfully defended his all-around title and added two more gold, one as a member of the winning team, a silver and a bronze medal to bring his tally of Olympic medals to a then record total of 11. His 1956 individual medals were as follows: gold – all-around, parallel bars, team; silver – floor exercises; and bronze – pommelled horse. He was also World Champion in 1954 in the all-around and parallel bars and, after retiring, he became head of gymnastics at the L’viv Institute of Physical Culture in his native Ukraine.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1952 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) URS UKR Viktor Chukarin
Individual All-Around, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Team All-Around, Men (Olympic) Soviet Union 1 Gold
Floor Exercise, Men (Olympic) =29
Horse Vault, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Parallel Bars, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
Horizontal Bar, Men (Olympic) 5
Rings, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
Pommelled Horse, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1956 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) URS UKR Viktor Chukarin
Individual All-Around, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Team All-Around, Men (Olympic) Soviet Union 1 Gold
Floor Exercise, Men (Olympic) =2 Silver
Horse Vault, Men (Olympic) =7
Parallel Bars, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
Horizontal Bar, Men (Olympic) =4
Rings, Men (Olympic) =7
Pommelled Horse, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze