Alla Landar: “The world bids farewell to Albina Deryugina, founder of the Deryugina School and president of the Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.”
Throughout her long sporting life, Hero of Ukraine Albina Mykolayivna Deryuhina consistently passed through every stage of a successful athlete—stages that today, in headlines of breaking news from global media, in numerous publications, dedications, and printed memoirs, begin with the words legend, athlete, coach, choreographer, educator…
Ukraine’s sporting glory spreads across the world standing on three pillars: football, boxing, and—thanks to Albina Mykolayivna and her school—for more than half a century now, rhythmic gymnastics.
Today at noon, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine opened its doors to all who wished to pay their last respects to the legend of Ukrainian sport. Guests were welcomed with archival film footage, a gallery of photographs, the exhibition “Chronicle of Life,” an endless stream of people, a sea of flowers, and the opportunity to leave a dedication, a memory, or simply a few warm words in the memorial book “Person of an Era.”
“She was an incredibly beautiful woman gifted with a unique coaching talent, and she simply could not exist outside the sports arena,” says Alla Landar, owner of the funeral company that organized the farewell procession. “She managed to accomplish so much for our country and to raise several generations of athletes. We, grateful spectators and fans, admired her work ethic and victories for decades—and above all, her ability to recognize and see a star and a future champion in a child. It is difficult to overestimate Albina Mykolayivna’s contribution to the history and development of world rhythmic gymnastics. It was she who transformed this sport into a true art form. Her students bring beauty to everything they touch—not only on the sports floor, on broadcast screens, on television, or on the podium, but also in life.”
An endless stream of people approached the “Person of an Era” memorial book. Statesmen and politicians, students of the gymnastics school, champions, representatives of other sports, actors and musicians, countless fans, Kyiv residents and visitors to the capital—too many to name—stood in line to leave a few lines in the book, to express respect, admiration, and gratitude. This book will become a family artifact, a true relic at the Deryuhin School for future winners and champions—and one day, an exhibit in the future Museum of Ukrainian Sport, as such museums exist in most countries of the world and will undoubtedly appear in ours.
During her years coaching the USSR national team and later the Ukrainian national team, Albina Mykolayivna trained a powerful constellation of Olympic champions, world and European champions: Olha Shchegoleva, Olha Plokhova, Viktoria Siryh, Liudmyla Yevtushenko, Iryna Deryuhina, Oleksandra Tymoshenko, Oksana Skaldina, Elina Khodlu, Tamara Yerofieieva, Hanna Bezsonova, Nataliia Hodunko, Hanna Rizatdinova.
The sense of a united family—that is the Deryuhin School, a world-renowned rhythmic gymnastics brand spanning three generations. The distinguished daughter and Olympic champion Iryna Deryuhina now heads the coaching staff and oversees choreography and costumes, while granddaughter Iryna Blokhina stages routines with a modern vision and the talent of a professional producer.
What is the secret of Albina Mykolayivna’s students’ success, according to specialists, commentators, and sports observers? To work persistently, systematically, and passionately, with a sparkle in the eyes—never to retreat or give up, but to move forward boldly and confidently. Character—this was the main thing she instilled in her students and future champions. This, she said, is one of the secrets that shapes Greatness in a person.
The photo gallery and the “Chronicle of Life” exhibition present moments of triumph along the stages of a Grand Journey. Her highest awards tell the story of Albina Deryuhina’s titanic work for the development of rhythmic gymnastics: titles including Honored Coach of the USSR, Honored Worker of Culture of the Ukrainian SSR, Honored Coach of Ukraine, Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine; the Orders For Merit (2nd Class), Badge of Honor, Order of the Red Banner of Labor; medals For the Training of Masters of Sport, For Valorous Labor, In Commemoration of the 1500th Anniversary of Kyiv; the Honorary Distinction of the President of Ukraine; and numerous international awards and honors.
Albina Deryuhina always spoke warmly of her family, noting that she grew up in a large and loving home. And her own words best describe her daily work and greatest achievements:
“To achieve something, you must love your work deeply—literally live it and burn with it. Work carefully and persistently, with a sparkle in your eyes, never retreating or giving up, but moving forward boldly and confidently… If only you knew how many times I wanted to quit everything and leave sport, because nothing was ever easy—there were always obstacles, and always will be. But I stayed. And I will remain in rhythmic gymnastics until my last breath.”
Today these words sound not only as guidance for her loved ones and kindred spirits who will continue the work of her life, but also as a Testament—echoing the words of the classic:
“Though the word may be spoken differently—
its essence remains ours…
in it are heard the labor, the sweat, the struggle,
the feeling of one united family.”
The sporting achievements of Albina Deryuhina and her students during the years of Independence not only introduced the Planet to Ukraine, not only carried the name of Ukraine proudly across the world, but also proved that we are a nation of the unbreakable, a nation with no grain of falsehood behind us. And thus no one in the world has any doubt: Ukraine will win this war.
From evolution in sport, in heroic labor, and in peaceful achievements—
to the evolution of a victorious nation on the battlefield.
