Aleksandr Melentyev

Although born in Penza, Russia to Russian parents, Aleksandr Melentyev grew up in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where his family had moved when he was an infant. Melentyev was one of the leading pistol shooters of the World during 1980s. Melentyev won the free pistol event at the 1980 Olympics with a world record of 581, which stood more than 34 years until it was surpassed by Jin Jong-O at the 2014 World Championships. Melentyev set five more world records during his career – 689.7 in air pistol in 1987, 1,748 in team air pistol in 1986, 1,756 in team air pistol in 1988, 1,673 in team free pistol in 1983, and 1,725 in team standard pistol in 1985. Besides his Olympic gold, Melentyev won nine World team titles – team free pistol in 1982 and 1986, team standard pistol in 1982 and team air pistol in 1982-83, 1985-87 and 1989 – and five silvers at the World Championships – in free pistol in 1982, team free pistol in 1990, standard pistol in 1982 and air pistol in 1982, 1983 and 1987. He also won eight European titles – 1981 and 1991 in free pistol; 1981, 1987 and 1991 in team free pistol; 1985 in team standard pistol; and 1980, 1984, 1986 and 1988 in air pistol; adding four silvers and one bronze at the Europeans. Domestically Melentyev won 12 Soviet titles – free pistol in 1979-80, 1982, and 1985; team free pistol in 1979-80, 1984-85, and 1988-89; air pistol in 1986; and team air pistol in 1985. Melentyev finished his sporting career after the fall of Soviet Union and later worked as a pistol shooting coach in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kuwait, New Zealand and United States. His younger brother Yury was also an international level pistol shooter, who represented Kyrgyzstan at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.