Natalia Pichuzhkina

Natalia Nikolaevna Pichuzhkina (Russian: Наталья Николаевна Пичужкина; born 3 June 1991 in Zavolzhye, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast) is a Russian group rhythmic gymnast.

Natalia Pichuzhkina
Full name	Natalia Nikolaevna Pichuzhkina
Nickname(s)	Natasha
Country represented	Russia
Born	(1991-06-03) 3 June 1991 (age 31) Zavolzhye, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia
Discipline	Rhythmic gymnastics
Level	Senior International Elite
Years on national team	2006 - 2012
Gym	Novogorsk
Head coach(es)	Irina Viner
Retired	2012
Medal record Group rhythmic gymnastics Representing  Russia World Championships 2011 Montpellier 5 Balls 2010 Moscow 5 Hoops 2010 Moscow 3 Ribbons + 2 Ropes 2009 Mie 5 Hoops 2011 Montpellier Group All-around 2010 Moscow Group All-around 2009 Mie Group All-around 2009 Mie 3 Ribbons + 2 Ropes European Championships 2010 Bremen Group All-around 2010 Bremen 5 Hoops 2010 Bremen 3 Ribbons/ 2 Ropes

Career

Pichuzkina debuted in international junior scene in 2004 and competed in international competitions along with teammate Evgenia Kanaeva. She won gold medals in team and clubs at the 2006 European Junior Championships.

In 2009, Pichuzkina switched to group rhythmic gymnastics. She competed in her first Worlds at the 2009 World Championships in Mie, Japan where the Russian group won bronze in group all-around and 3 Ribbons + 2 Ropes, they won gold in 5 hoops. The following year they swept the gold medals at the 2010 European Championships in group all-around, 5 hoops, 3 ribbons/ 2 ropes.^[1] They repeated as bronze medalists in group all-around at the 2010 World Championships in Moscow, however they won gold in the 5 hoops, 3 ribbons/ 2 ropes finals.

At the 2011 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Pichuzkina together with the Russian group won the gold medal in 5 balls event and a silver medal in the group all-around event.^[2] In 2012, she suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Russian Group reserve member Karolina Sevastyanova to compete at the 2012 European Championships.

Personal life

Pichuzkina graduated from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports of Lobachevsky State University of Nizhni Novgorod in 2013.^[3]

References

1. . European Union of Gymnastics. Archived from the original on 26 February 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2010.
2. "2011 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships athletes - Natalia Pichuzhkina". Longinestiming.com. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
3. "Alumni".

External links

• Natalia PICHUZHKINA at the International Gymnastics Federation