Vladimir Tkachenko(VI)
Vladimir Tkachenko is a Soviet basketball player. Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. European Basketball Player of the Year (1979). Bronze medalist of the Olympic Games (1976, 1980), world champion (1982), three-time European champion (1979, 1981, 1985), four-time champion of the USSR (1983, 1984, 1988, 1990).
Tkachenko was born in Sochi, Soviet Union. Vladimir's parents were not tall, and by the age of 12 he had reached a height of 188 cm. As a child, he preferred football more, he stood well at the gate. After some time, a tall teenager was noticed by basketball coach Vladimir Eldin and assigned to a sports boarding school in Sochi. A year later, Tkachenko was already a member of the youth team of the city of Sochi. In 1973, Tkachenko already played in the double of the 'Stroitel' (Kiev), as well as in the youth team of the USSR, with which in the same 1973 he became the European champion among youths. Since 1974, he began to be involved in games for the main team of 'Stroitel', having contributed to the club's winning the bronze medal of the 1973/74 USSR Championship. In 3 years, Tkachenko already played at his first Olympics in Montreal 1976: Games of the XXI Olympiad (1976), where, due to his youth and inexperience, he could not show the game expected of him. In 1978 he became the silver medalist of the World Championship, where he already declared himself as one of the leading players in the national team. But the first tournament where Tkachenko most clearly showed himself was the 1979 European Championship in Italy, following which he was recognized as the best player in the championship, and the USSR team took gold medals. At the 1981 European Championships, Tkachenko again proved himself, once again becoming the best center in Europe, and for the second time in a row he helped the team take gold medals. In 1982, Tkachenko became the world champion, making a significant contribution to the victory of the USSR team. In the 1985 season, he again became the European champion, and in 1986 - the silver medalist of the World Championship. At the end of 1987, he injured his spine (herniated disc), which did not allow him to take part in the Seoul 1988: Games of the XXIV Olympiad (1988).
With a height of 220 cm, physically powerful, with good coordination. He had good speed, excellent jump, stable shot from an average distance. At the same time, he was distinguished by excessive softness when playing under his shield.
Tkachenko was born in Sochi, Soviet Union. Vladimir's parents were not tall, and by the age of 12 he had reached a height of 188 cm. As a child, he preferred football more, he stood well at the gate. After some time, a tall teenager was noticed by basketball coach Vladimir Eldin and assigned to a sports boarding school in Sochi. A year later, Tkachenko was already a member of the youth team of the city of Sochi. In 1973, Tkachenko already played in the double of the 'Stroitel' (Kiev), as well as in the youth team of the USSR, with which in the same 1973 he became the European champion among youths. Since 1974, he began to be involved in games for the main team of 'Stroitel', having contributed to the club's winning the bronze medal of the 1973/74 USSR Championship. In 3 years, Tkachenko already played at his first Olympics in Montreal 1976: Games of the XXI Olympiad (1976), where, due to his youth and inexperience, he could not show the game expected of him. In 1978 he became the silver medalist of the World Championship, where he already declared himself as one of the leading players in the national team. But the first tournament where Tkachenko most clearly showed himself was the 1979 European Championship in Italy, following which he was recognized as the best player in the championship, and the USSR team took gold medals. At the 1981 European Championships, Tkachenko again proved himself, once again becoming the best center in Europe, and for the second time in a row he helped the team take gold medals. In 1982, Tkachenko became the world champion, making a significant contribution to the victory of the USSR team. In the 1985 season, he again became the European champion, and in 1986 - the silver medalist of the World Championship. At the end of 1987, he injured his spine (herniated disc), which did not allow him to take part in the Seoul 1988: Games of the XXIV Olympiad (1988).
With a height of 220 cm, physically powerful, with good coordination. He had good speed, excellent jump, stable shot from an average distance. At the same time, he was distinguished by excessive softness when playing under his shield.
