Background
Shamrai, Galina was born on October 5, 1931 in Tashkent.
Shamrai, Galina was born on October 5, 1931 in Tashkent.
Graduated from the Moscow Pedagogical Institute, 1956.
She trained at the Iskra club and later at the Burevestnik sports society in Moscow. Shamrai began competing at the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championships in 1950, where she placed eighth in the all-around. She was added to the team roster for the 1952 Summer Olympics, which were the first Olympic performance for Soviet athletes.
Shamrai didn"t compete in the event finals, but was 8th in the all-around, contributing to the team"s gold.
In December of the same year, Shamrai earned the silver medal on the floor exercise at the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championships. She continued a progressive movement upwards in 1953, placing fourth in the all-around at the Nationals.
1954 World Gymnastics Championships was the culmination of her competitive career. After this success she earned one more gold medal on the balance beam at the 1955 Nationals and retired in 1956.
Shamrai graduated from the Lenin Pedagogical Institute of the Moscow Region and worked as a coach at the Spartak club in Moscow.
The couple had a daughter, Elena, in 1958. Since 1975 Shamrai judged international gymnastics events. In 1957 Galina Shamrai was awarded Order of the Badge of Honor.
She lives in Moscow.