Sovetsky Sport. November 7, 1981. In the capital's Olimpiisky Sports Complex, the 12th USSR youth championship in sports gymnastics has ended. On the last day, medals were given for individual events. One of the most notable gymnasts on the platform was Muscovite Valentina Shkoda.
Visiting card: Valentina Shkoda. Moscow, Burevestnik. Born 23 June 1969. A student in the sixth grade of the sports boarding school No. 9 in the Pervomaisky district. Silver medalist of the country's youth championship in the Candidate program, champion on the balance beam. Coach: L. Komarova.
"You can't imagine what a mischievous and funny girl she is," said Ludmila Komarova of Valya, who in 2 or 3 minutes was to go onto the platform. "Without sports in her life, it is more boring. When Shkoda is in the gym, then everyone's mood is lifted. She is like some kind of fun top! And she won't part with her books at all. She reads in the subway, when she walks down the street, at home... Just ask Valya what she's reading now."
But she is about to perform...
She's not worried at all, you see. She's chirping about something with Tanya Kim.
Valya, what's your favorite book?
After a little thought, Shkoda answered. "Two Captains." Her eyes are cheerful and playful. Her face is crafty. I have already learned that Valya is an excellent student - she had only two "4s" all quarter.
A minute later Shkoda was already performing. The hall froze. Shkoda showed excellent class, elegantly performing such difficult combinations as two flick-flacks to a somersault, a round-off to a somersault, and a double back dismount. She had seven elements of the highest value in her program. According to the rules, weighty increases are required. The scoreboard showed 10 points!
Six years ago, Valya and her grandmother were walking along 16th Parkovaya Street. Coach Komarova was walking towards them. "I saw a girl, and intuition suggested: what if this is the one I'm looking for?" I asked, "How old are you?" "Six." "Come to the sports school to do gymnastics."
Vladimir Mikhailovich and Tamara Grigorevna brought their daughter to Komarova. "Can you cope? Because the girls in your group have been training for a whole year."
Seven months later, Valya Shkoda won the sports school championship under a special program.
She loves her friends, with whom she trains together, and wishes them more success than herself. When Lena Shushunova vaulted, Valya, who was next to perform, clapped the loudest...
Valya's leg is hurting, but she stubbornly says: "I'll do floor exercise anyway!" And she does, and how! Her performance is great, incendiary. "It was choreographed by Galina Milyakina," explains Komarova.
During the competition, Bogdan Makuts waved to her on the platform. Valya Shkoda, with whom he is friends, is a girl who dreams of big victories.
TECHNICAL RESULTS
12th USSR youth championships in gymnastics. Moscow.
Individual apparatus competition. Candidates for Master of Sports.
Girls: Vault and floor exercise - E. Shushunova (Army) - 19.2 and 19.2; Uneven bars - E. Belkina (Army) - 18.825; Balance beam - V. Shkoda (Burevestnik) - 19.575.
Boys: Floor exercise - A. Polozov (Trade Union) - 18.0; Pommel horse - V. Shagin (Dinamo) - 18.6; Rings - V. Lyukin (Spartak) - 18.95; Vault - R. Grishaev (Labor Reserves) - 17.6; Parallel bars - A. Sarkisyan (Burevestnik) - 18.375; High bar - S. Vaisburg (Trud) - 18.725.
Team results: 1. Army; 2. Dinamo; 3. Burevestnik.
V. GOLUBEV, master of sports.