Main Russian sports victories in 2011

The outgoing year’s sporting events in Russia and elsewhere brought mixed results, with defeats alternating with brilliant victories. R-Sport Agency’s selection of photographs commemorates the outstanding athletes who can be proud of their performance.
Photo: Russian national bandy team after winning the 2011 World Championship.

With six golds, four silvers, and five bronzes, the Russian track-and-field team was first-place finisher at the 2011 European championship in Paris.
Photo: Ksenia Vdovina, Ksenia Zadorina, Olesya Krasnomovets and Yelena Migunova (left to right) after winning the 4 x 400 relay.

Russian free-style wrestling team defeated Iran 5:2 in the finals and won the World Cup.
Photo: Russian team celebrating victory.

Russia’s Ilya Zakharov and Yevgeny Kuznetsov (left to right) became European synchronized 3-meter diving champions.

The Russian women’s basketball team won the European championship and qualified for the Summer Olympic Games in London by defeating Turkey 59:42 in the finals.
Photo: Basketball players and coaches posing with the Cup at the awards ceremony.

The world water sports championship in Shanghai saw Russian athletes win 12 licenses for Olympic Games in London, gain eight victories and a total of 18 medals.
Photo: Russian synchronized swimmers after winning gold in optional program.

The Russian team ranked second at Universiade 2011 in Shenzhen, winning 42 golds, 45 silvers and 45 bronzes to China’s 75, 39, and 31 respectively.
Photo: Russian delegation attending the opening of the 26th World Summer Universiade at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

Russian team won gold at the world RSG championship in France, with Yevgeniya Kanayeva winning clubs, ribbon, hoop and ball routine.
Photo: Yevgeniya Kanayeva, Darya Dmitriyeva, Darya Kondakova and Alexandra Merkulova (left to right) at the awards ceremony.

Russia’s Alexander Povetkin defended his WBA heavyweight title by knocking out Cedric Boswell (USA) in Helsinki.
Photo: Alexander Povetkin (left) knocking out Cedric Boswell during the eighth round of the fight for WBA world heavyweight title.

The Russian track-and-field team’s performance at world championships was never as successful as it was at the World Championship in Athletics at Daegu, South Korea, where it won 19 medals, including nine gold. Gold medal winners Valery Borchin (racewalking), Tatyana Chernova (heptathlon), Yulia Zaripova (races), Olga Kaniskina (racewalking), Maria Abakumova (javelin), Sergei Bakulin (racewalking), Anna Chicherova (high jump), Tatyana Lysenko (hammer), and Maria Savinova (running).
Photo: Russians Sergei Bakulin and Denis Nizhegorodtsev (left to right) hugging after 50-meter racewalking contests.

The Russian soccer team made it to the European finals to be held in Poland and Ukraine in June and July, 2012, by winning seven out of ten Group B meets.
Photo: Russian footballers jubilant upon scoring in Russia-Andorra game.

Russian MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko defeated America’s Jeff Monson in Moscow.
Photo: Fedor Emelianenko (in the background) and Jeff Monson during M-1 Global.