Gymnast Ryazanov killed in crash
October 20, 2009 by gims
Filed under Gymnasts - Russian, Mens
BBC SPORT (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/gymnastics/8316898.stm)
Russian gymnast Yury Ryazanov has died in a car crash in the city of Vladimir, five days after winning bronze at the world championships in London.
Police said he died at the scene after his car was in a head-on collision.
The 22-year-old finished third in the all-around competition behind Kohei Uchimura and Briton Daniel Keatings.
“He was one of our most talented young athletes who could have achieved great things,” said a Russian Gymnastic Federation spokeswoman.
“This is very tragic news for Russian gymnastics.”
Ryazanov was one of Russia’s most promising gymnasts.
This year he had already won the national all-around title and come third at the European championships in Milan.
His medal at the world championships in London was Russia’s first in the top individual event in a decade.