31. Mai 2008  
Kiev / Ukraine  
Artistic Gymnastics

Boris SHAKHLIN - the Ukrainian, legendary M A N of I R O N , passed away ....

Boris Anfiiyanovich SHAKHLIN
* 27-Jan-1932...+ 30-May-2008

Boris, the big "Iron Man" died ...!...!
With a big sadness the international gymnastics family mourns the dead of one of it's biggest representative...:
Yesterday, May 30, in his hometown Kiev , Ukraine,
<< Boris Anfiyanovich S H A K H L I N died at the age of 76 years!
He was one of the most prominent figure of the former Soviet, later Ukrainian and also world sports scene and one of the most successfully sportsmen, too.
In his incomparably career he won 7 Olympic gold medals, five world and four European titles...!
The international gymnastics family and all of his worldwide friends will never forget him ...

... not only a high bar specialist!

* The FIG press release:

A legend disappears
BORIS SHAKHLIN HAS PASSED AWAY

Kiev (UKR) - Moutier (SUI) FIG Office, June 01, 2008:
Olympic All-around and World champion, Ukrainian Boris Shakhlin died on May 30 of cardiac arrest in Kiev, where he resided.

* Born in Omsk in Siberia on January 27, 1932, this extraordinary gymnast was a pillar on the Soviet team during the 1960s;

Boris Shakhlin competed alongside Yuri Titov, Albert Azarian, Valentin Muratov, against the legendary Japanese team which showcased Takashi Ono and Masao Takemoto at that time.

... as a judge, while Ditiatin was flying!

Nicknamed "Mask of Iron", Boris Shakhlin took home 14 Olympic medals, 6 of which were Gold, from the Games in Melbourne (AUS - 1956), Rome (ITA - 1960) and Tokyo (JPN - 1964).

He was the only athlete to take 4 Gold medals at the Games in Rome.

Orphaned at an early age, Boris was reared by his grand-parents in the quaint town of Ishim, near Omsk, where his friend and travelling companion Yuri Titov was born.

A man of strong character, determination and talent, young Shakhlin swiftly climbed to the top of the Soviet gymnastics hierarchy.
Once his career had drawn to a close he filled a number of positions, notably that of national Ukrainian coach, President of his Federation and member of the FIG Technical Committee for Men's Artistic Gymnastics.
* source: fig press release

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In 2002, Shakhlin was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
>> Click here to view the IGHOF induction video honoring Shakhlin.

*... >> read more on our GERMAN GYMmedia Portal