Veterans of Rhythmic Gymnastics: Honored Coach Rozaliya Nazmutdinova-Ratmanskaya
Two-time champion of the USSR in rhythmic gymnastics, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR, Honored Coach of Russia in rhythmic gymnastics. Champion of the RSFSR. Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan.
She was awarded the honorary badge For Merits in the Development of Physical Culture and Sports and the badge of Excellence in Physical Culture and Sports.
Rozaliya Nazmutdinova was born on November 15, 1946, in Sverdlovsk. She became the fourth child in the family — after two brothers and an older sister, Liliya, the first Honored Master of Sports and fifteen-time champion of the USSR in rhythmic gymnastics. The family was large; later, Rozaliya would have two more sisters — Ilmira and Alfiya.
Her parents worked as actors at the Tatar Theater before the Great Patriotic War. During the war, her father Bilal Nazmutdinov took part in it. After returning from the frontline, he worked as a shoemaker and even made gym shoes for his daughters to wear during workouts and competitions.
Rozaliya began practicing rhythmic gymnastics in 1954 in a section at the Sverdlovsk Palace of Pioneers and Schoolchildren under the guidance of Honored Coach of the USSR Elizaveta Oblygina, the founder of rhythmic gymnastics in the Sverdlovsk Region. Lilia Nazmutdinova was one of Oblygina's first students. She set an example and instilled love of rhythmic gymnastics in her younger sisters.
During her school years, Rozaliya repeatedly became a winner and prize-winner of the RSFSR junior championships. In addition, she won the USSR championship among schoolchildren twice. In 1962, Rozaliya was awarded the title of Master of Sports of the USSR.
After graduating from school in 1965, Rozaliya entered the State Pedagogical Institute in the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, continuing her sports career. The four sisters often competed together during that period. Thus, in 1967, the Sverdlovsk Region team, which included the Nazmutdinov sisters, took first place at the RSFSR championship.
In 1966, Rozaliya Nazmutdinova was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR.
The time of workouts and competitions left many happy memories. There have been some ridiculous incidents too. Rozaliya Nazmutdinova recalls,
"At the USSR Championships in Tashkent, the competition took place on a stage. I tried so hard on the vault that I touched the curtain and fell. I lost my gold. I can look back on it with a smile now, but at the time it was really upsetting."
Rozaliya began working as a coach and instructor at the Children’s Athletic School 1 at the Sverdlovsk Palace of Pioneers and Schoolchildren after graduating from the institute in 1969. In 1978, the children's and youth sports school for rhythmic gymnastics was established under the Sverdlovsk Regional Council of the Spartak Voluntary Athletic Society, where Rozaliya moved to work permanently along with Liliya, Alfiya, and Ilmira. On the 25th anniversary of the school, it was named after the Nazmutdinov sisters.
Rozaliya participated in the training of Yulia Ivanova, the bronze medalist of the Olympic Games in Atlanta in group exercises and the many-time world and European champion, as well as Alisa Syukkya, the champion of Russia in group exercises. In 1997, the specialist was awarded the title of Honored Coach of Russia.
Rozaliya completed her labor activity in December 2023. Her coaching experience is 54 years. Rozaliya Nazmutdinova says,
"Coaching is a huge effort that requires complete dedication, love for children, and sports. Working with gymnasts taught me patience and discipline. You need to see a future star in every child. I wish beginner coaches to always be an example for their students."
Rozaliya has a double surname; she met her husband back in school, and they got married during their institute years. Their son Igor competed in trampoline jumping, became the Master of Sports and the champion of Trudovye Rezervy society in synchronized trampoline. And one of their grandsons, Sergei, is currently working as a Muay Thai coach. Furthermore, Rozaliya has two great-grandchildren — Sergei and Viola.
Rozaliya Nazmutdinova-Ratmanskaya is attending competitions in Yekaterinburg now as an honored guest and is preparing to celebrate her 80th anniversary at the end of this year. She holds the title of Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan and honorary badges of the Sports Valor, For Merit to the Sverdlovsk Region, 3rd Class, and For Merits in the Development of Physical Culture and Sports.
We would like to thank Rozaliya and Ilmira Nazmutdinova and Olga Nikiforova for their help in preparing this article.