Nikolay Smaga
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Nikolay Yakovlevich•Smaga |
| Used name | Nikolay•Smaga |
| Original name | Николай Яковлевич•Смага |
| Other names | Mykola Yakovych Smaha, Микола Якович Смага |
| Born | 22 August 1938 in Bobrove, Sumy (UKR) |
| Died | 29 March 1981 in Kyiv, Kyiv (UKR) |
| Measurements | 180 cm / 72 kg |
| NOC |  Soviet Union |
| Nationality |  Ukraine |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 0 |
| Silver | 0 |
| Bronze | 1 |
| Total | 1 |
Biography
Along with another Soviet-Ukrainian race walker from the Sumy region, Vladimir Golubnichy, Nikolay Smaga was one of the leading race walkers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Like his training partner and best friend Golubnichy, Smaga competed exclusively in the 20 km walk. During his career, which lasted from 1965-72, Smaga competed at two Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in 1968 and placing fifth in 1972. Smaga was the 1971 European Champion and won bronzes at the 1966 and 1969 European Championships. He also won the 20 km at the 1967 IAAF World Race Walking Cup. At the Soviet Championships Smaga won three titles (1969-71) and two bronzes (1968, 1972). Smaga finished his sports career after the 1972 Olympics and later worked as a race walking coach, serving as coach of the 1980 Soviet Olympic race walking team.
Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-25:49 (1968).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | Nationality | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Summer Olympics | Athletics | URS |
UKR |
Nikolay Smaga | |||
| 20 kilometres Race Walk, Men (Olympic) | 3 | Bronze | |||||
| 1972 Summer Olympics | Athletics | URS |
UKR |
Nikolay Smaga | |||
| 20 kilometres Race Walk, Men (Olympic) | 5 |
Special Notes
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the European Athletics Championships (1–0–2 1966 Budapest bronze: 20 km walk; 1969 Athina bronze: 20 km walk; 1971 Helsinki gold: 20 km walk)