10 Facts About Sofia Muratova

Sofia Muratova competed in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics and won eight medals.

Sofia Muratova took up artistic gymnastics in 1943, entering a children's sports school, and just three months later competed in the Russian Championships for girls.

In 1945 Sofia Muratova won her first major competition, the USSR Junior Championships.

Sofia Muratova soon became one of the strongest Soviet gymnasts, the only one to win five Soviet all-around titles, yet she was often unlucky at major international events.

Sofia Muratova debuted at the 1956 Summer Olympics, winning the team gold and two bronze medals, all-around and on the uneven bars.

At the rather unsuccessful 1958 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Moscow Sofia Muratova won the team gold and two bronzes on vault and balance beam.

Sofia Muratova presented her gold medal to Mironova as a token of gratitude.

Sofia Muratova won seven all-around national titles, including the inaugural 1955 USSR Cup.

Sofia Muratova retired in 1965 and worked as a coach for 34 years.

Sofia Muratova was the head coach of the Soviet women's gymnastics team at the 1968 Olympics.