Background
Popenchenko, Valerii was born on August 26, 1937 in Kuntsevo, a suburb of Moscow into a working-class family.
Popenchenko, Valerii was born on August 26, 1937 in Kuntsevo, a suburb of Moscow into a working-class family.
Joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, 1960. 6 times USSR champion. Champion of Europe in 1963 and 1965.
Champion at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. Dean of the Physical Culture Department at the Bauman Institute of Physics, 1970-1975. Developed a serious drink problem, gave up sport and became terribly depressed.
Committed suicide by jumping from his fourth floor flat.