Vasily Rudenkov

A railroad worker, Vasily Rudenkov took up athletics quite late, in 1952, when he was already 21-years-old. Rudenkov was inspired to take up athletics and hammer throwing by fellow Belorussian athlete Mikhail Krivonosov. The Soviet hammer throw champion in 1959-61, Rudenkov competed internationally at two major international tournaments. At the 1960 Olympics, Rudenkov, who was the world’s top hammer thrower in 1959 and also led the lists before the Olympics, was considered as the favorite for gold along with world record holder American Hal Connolly, and at the Olympic final, he did not disappoint, winning the gold medal easily with an Olympic record of 67.10. At the 1962 European Championships, Rudenkov finished in a disappointing sixth place and at the Soviet Championships, besides his three titles, he won bronzes in 1962 and 1964. Rudenkov finished his sports career in 1968 and later worked as an athletics coach in his native Belarus.

Personal Best: HT – 68.94 (1961).