Pyotr Pochenchuk

Pyotr Pochenchuk was on the Soviet national team from 1977-84. During his career, Pochenchuk won silvers in the 20 km walk at the 1980 Olympics and 1978 European Championships. He also competed at the 1982 European Championships, where he was 10th in the 20 km walk, and at the 1983 World Championships, placing 13th. Pochenchuk set one world record during his career, when he clocked 40:37.0 for the 10 km track walk in 1977. He won his only Soviet title in 1982 in the 20 km walk. After finishing his sports career, Pochenchuk worked as a children’s coach, but died rather young, in December 1991 in a car accident. Since 1992 an annual memorial race walking tournament has been held in his honor in Hrodna, Belarus.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-23:43 (1978).