Rhythmic Gymnastics Veterans: multiple world championship medalist Alfiya Nazmutdinova
Honored Master of Sports. Silver medalist at the 1969 World Championships in group exercise. Bronze medalist at the 1971 World Championships in all‑around, world champion in the ribbon exercise, silver medalist in the ball exercise, bronze medalist in the rope exercise.
Four‑time champion of the RSFSR. Two‑time winner of the USSR Cup. Ten‑time champion of the Central Sports Club of the All‑Union State Sports Organization 'Trudovye Rezervy' (Labor Reserves).
Honoured Worker of Physical Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan. Awarded the Sverdlovsk Region’s insignia 'Sporting Valour', 'For Services to the Sverdlovsk Region, 3rd degree', and the honourable badge 'For Services to the Development of Physical Culture and Sports'. Distinguished Worker of Physical Culture and Sports. Veteran of sports, veteran of labour.
Alfiya Nazmutdinova was born on April 29, 1949, in Sverdlovsk. She was the fifth child in the family.
She began practicing rhythmic gymnastics under the guidance of her older sister, Honored Master of Sports Liliya Nazmutdinova. Alfiya Bilyalovna recalls:
"Mom often took me and my other sisters to competitions where Liliya performed. We really enjoyed it. We also wanted to become gymnasts. I started training with Liliya. She immediately saw my potential."
After achieving the standard of a Master of Sports of the Soviet Union, Alfiya Bilyalovna began training under the renowned USSR coach Elizaveta Alekseevna Oblygina and achieved significant success. Among her victories are gold medals from the RSFSR championships and the USSR Cup.
"The most important thing is discipline, hard work, and the desire to be first. It’s important to listen to the coach attentively — this will help you achieve success."
Alfiya Nazmutdinova also has international titles. In 1969, at the World Championships in Varna, she became a silver medalist as part of the group exercise team. She says:
"The World Cup was an exciting start. It was important not to let the team and the coach down."
In 1971, she took part in the World Championships in Havana as an individual athlete. In the all‑around competition, the gymnast from the Sverdlovsk Region won a bronze medal. And in individual events, she became a champion in the ribbon exercise, took silver with the ball, and bronze with the rope. Alfiya Bilyalovna recalls:
"My program with the ribbon, which won gold, was energetic and distinguished by its clear and beautiful work with the apparatus."
In 1978, Alfiya Nazmutdinova was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports.
After ending her sports career, Alfiya began working as a coach and also obtained the rank of judge of the all‑Russian category.
For her contribution to the development and popularization of sports, Alfiya Bilyalovna has received numerous awards and titles. Among them are the medal 'For Sports Valor' and the badge 'Excellent in Physical Culture'.
Alfiya Bilyalovna lives in Yekaterinburg. She is a welcome guest at the competitions held in the capital of the Urals and often acts as a commentator. And the local gymnasts are always glad to receive advice and tips from the renowned athlete.
Earlier, we already talked about Alfiya Bilyalovna’s older sisters — Liliya Nazmutdinova and Rosalia Nazmutdinova‑Ratmanskaya.
We thank Alfiya Bilyalovna Nazmutdinova and Olga Nikiforova for their assistance in creating the material.