Vladimir Yesheyev

Vladimir Yesheyev was the top Soviet male archer of the 1980s. At the 1980 Olympics, Yesheyev was considered as the main favorite to the gold medal by Soviet officials, but he finished only in a disappointing sixth place. As the Soviets boycotted the 1984 Olympics, he made his next appearance in the Olympic arena in 1988, when he won bronze in the individual event and was fifth with the Soviet team. He also competed at the 1992 Olympics, but with less success. At the World Championships, Yesheyev won the individual title in 1987 and the team title in 1989, while taking team bronze in 1981. At the European Championships, he won the individual title in 1982 and individual silver in 1988 and team titles in 1988, 1990 and 1992 and team silvers in 1980 and 1982. Yesheyev also won the European indoor individual title in 1983 and team titles in 1983, 1987 and 1989. Domestically, he won five individual Soviet titles (1980-81, 1983, 1986-87). Finishing his sporting career after the fall of Soviet Union, Yesheyev worked as an archery coach for a short while, then was head coach of the Portuguese national archery team from 1993-95, before becoming a sports official. He became president of the Russian Archery Federation, vice-president of the European and Mediterranean Archery Union (EMAU) and a member of the executive committee of the International Archery Federation (FITA).