1974 World Gymnastics Championships - USSR WAG video

The 1974 World Championships, held in Varna, Bulgaria, were all about Ludmilla Tourischeva. As reigning 1970 World Champion and 1972 Olympic Champion, she took four golds, a silver and a bronze here, affirming her status as Queen of Gymnastics. She medalled on every event.

Just look at her bars routine if you want confirmation of her genius - around 6.30 - the twists sparkle with perfection, the routine composed for beauty as well as complexity. The brooding presence of coach Vladislav Rotstorotsky intensely observes Tourischeva's finest competition.

The Soviet WAG team took 13 individual medals here, grabbing all the honours available on beam and floor. Of the six competing team members, only Nina Dronova failed to secure an individual title, but she still had her gold from the team competition.

Watch out for extracts from the floor routines of Elvira Saadi, Olga Korbut, Rusudan Sikharulidze, Nina Dronova and Ludmilla Tourischeva. The only gymnast not shown is Nelli Kim, who secured her first major international medal here, a bronze on the beam.



This comes from Dudnik's channel on Youtube - it is a treasure trove, full of gems of Soviet news shorts: a feature on Olga Korbut from 1969 is a highlight, complete with Olga's back somersault; but you should also take time to see Liubov Burda (due to be inducted into the IG Hall of Fame tomorrow) in the training hall and at home, doing her homework with pet cat by her side! Don't miss 1966 World Champion Mikhail Voronin, or the special feature on Natalia Kuchinskaya.

Enjoy!