Born: 1955 (Perekhodinskoye, Krasnodar Kray)
Biography:
Olga Leonidovna Sukharnova was born on February 14, 1955, in Perekhodinskoye, Krasnodar Kray. She is a retired female basketball player who left an indelible mark on the sport. Soukharnova’s career was filled with numerous accomplishments, challenges, and contributions to women’s basketball, cementing her position as one of the game’s most influential figures.
Soukharnova began her basketball journey in the Soviet Union, where she played for the national team and reached great heights. She represented her country in multiple competitions, with the most notable being the Summer Olympics. Soukharnova was part of the Soviet team that claimed the gold medal not once, but twice, in 1976 and 1980. These victories not only showcased her exceptional skills but also solidified her place in basketball history.
Throughout her career, Soukharnova excelled at both individual and team levels. She participated in the Final Four of the Champions League in 1993, further demonstrating her ability to compete at the highest level. In the USSR, Soukharnova’s teams consistently performed well, finishing as runners-up in 1976, 1979, 1980, and 1981. They also secured the championship in 1978 and achieved third place in 1975 and 1977.
Soukharnova’s success extended to the international stage as well. She won a remarkable number of gold medals in various tournaments and championships. She claimed gold in the World University Games in 1973, 1977, and 1981. Moreover, she earned gold medals at the World Championships in 1975 and 1983, as well as at the EuroBasket in 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1987.
After her illustrious career in the USSR, Soukharnova moved to France and continued to achieve greatness. She joined the French championship and secured an impressive five consecutive titles. Initially, she triumphed with Mirande and later with Challes-les-Eaux, showcasing her versatility and adaptability in different environments.
Soukharnova’s excellence on the court did not go unnoticed, as she was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. This honor recognized her exceptional contributions to the sport and solidified her status as a true legend within the basketball community.
Awards:
– Gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 1976 and 1980
– Champion of the USSR in 1978
– Runner-up in the USSR in 1976, 1979, 1980, and 1981
– Third place in the USSR in 1975 and 1977
– Champion of France in 1989, 1990 with Mirande
– Champion of France in 1991, 1992, 1993 with Challes
– Tournament of the Federation winner in 1991 and 1993
– Gold medals at 2 World Championships in 1975 and 1983
– Gold medals at 9 EuroBaskets in 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1987
– Gold medals at Europe Junior Championship in 1971 and 1973
– Gold medals at the World University Games in 1973, 1977, and 1981
– Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.