Irina Kikkas
| Irina Kikkas | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 July 1984 Tallinn, then part of Estonian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Height | 1.66 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in)[1] |
| Gymnastics career | |
| Discipline | Rhythmic gymnastics |
Country represented |  Estonia |
| Club | Spordiklubi Velar |
Head coach | Larissa Gorbunova |
| Choreographer | Vera Bondarenko |
Irina Kikkas (born 22 July 1984)[2] is an Estonian former rhythmic gymnast. She competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics and was the first Estonian rhythmic gymnast to compete at the Olympic Games.
Early life
[edit]Kikkas was born on 22 July 1984 in Tallinn. Her father is an athletics coach who coached Estonian pole vaulter Valeri Bukrejev.[3] She began rhythmic gymnastics when she was five years old.[4]
Gymnastics career
[edit]Kikkas competed at her first World Championships in 1999 and finished 49th in the all-around qualifications.[4]
Kikkas initially finished 14th in the all-around at the 2001 World Championships. At the time, this marked Estonia's best result at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.[3][4] She was moved up to 12th place after Alina Kabaeva and Irina Tchachina's medals were stripped.[5]
Kikkas finished 17th in the all-around competition at the 2004 European Championships.[6] She did not qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics.[7] She competed at the 2005 World Championships and finished 33rd in the all-around qualification round.[8]
Kikkas qualified for the all-around final at the 2007 World Championships, finishing 18th and earning a berth for the 2008 Summer Olympics.[9] This marked the first time an Estonian rhythmic gymnast qualified for the Olympic Games.[7][10]
Kikkas finished 16th in the all-around competition at the 2008 European Championships.[11][12] She then represented Estonia at the 2008 Summer Olympics. During the qualification round, she dropped both the hoop and the clubs and finished in 20th place,[13] failing to advance to the final.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Kikkas studied for a master's degree in choreography from Tallinn University.[7] In 2009, she started her coaching career by opening her club named “Irina Kikkas Gymnastic Club”.[15]
References
[edit]- ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Irina Kikkas". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ↑ "Irina Kikkas Rhythmic Gymnastics Bio". NBC Olympics. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- 1 2 Kasemets, Maili (23 October 2001). "Irina Kikkas täitis MMil ühe oma unistustest" [Irina Kikkas fulfilled one of her dreams at the World Championships]. Postimees Sport (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 Kalvik, Andres (30 October 2001). "Irina Kikkase tähelend kestab vaid mõne aasta" [Irina Kikkas' stardom will only last a few years]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ "24th World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships. Individuals only. 2001, October, 17 – 21, MADRID (ESP) RG – Senior Detailed Results". International Gymnastics Federation. Archived from the original on 26 March 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ "20th European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics Kiev (UKR) June 4 – June 6, 2004 Results Individual All-Around Final" (PDF). European Gymnastics. 6 June 2004. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 Järvela, Ott (21 September 2007). "Irina Kikkas: "Pisarad olid silmas. Õnnepisarad!"" [Irina Kikkas: "Tears were in my eyes. Tears of happiness!"]. Õhtuleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ "27th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships 3 – 9 October, Baku 2005 Results Team Competition and Qualifications" (PDF). USA Gymnastics. International Gymnastics Federation. 6 October 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ↑ "28th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Individual All-Around Final Results" (PDF). USA Gymnastics. International Gymnastics Federation. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ↑ Taras, Madis (21 September 2007). "Irina Kikkas pääses esimese Eesti iluvõimlejana olümpiamängudele" [Irina Kikkas became the first Estonian gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games]. Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ "24th European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships Torino (ITA) 5 – 6 June 2008 Results Individual Seniors All-Around Competition" (PDF). European Gymnastics. 6 June 2008. p. 21. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ↑ "Irina Kikkas sai EMil 16. koha" [Irina Kikkas finished 16th at the European Championships]. Postimees Sport (in Estonian). 6 June 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ Höglund, Inga (22 August 2008). "Iluvõimlemise mitmevõistluse võitis venelanna, Kikkas lõpetas 20. kohaga" [Russian gymnast wins all-around competition, Kikkas finishes 20th]. Postimees Sport (in Estonian). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ "Rhythmic Gymnastics – Individual All-Around Qualification". NBC Olympics. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ↑ "Irina Kikkase Võimlemisklubi". Irina Kikkase. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
