Irina Devina

Career

Devina was an elegant and technical gymnast who started gymnastics at 6 years of age. She also came in 4th in all-around at the 1982 Europeans. In 1983, Devina competed with teammate Dalia Kutkaitė at the inaugural World Cup Final held in Belgrade, she took two bronze medals in hoop and ribbon.

After completing her competitive career, Devina married famous Soviet Olympic Pentathlon athlete, Vasily Neffedov.

She now lives in Moscow, Russia and briefly taught as a coach being a holder of Honored Master of Sports of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics.

Devina was the first rhythmic gymnast to perform a penchee pivot turn.

Achievements

• She is a (1979, 1977) World Champion in Group all-around and won the 1981 Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championships in all-around. She is twice World Champion as member the Soviet group that won the all-around gold in 1977 and 1979 (in Basel and London). She began competing as an individual at the beginning of the 1980s, a time of the uprise and domination of the Golden Girls of Bulgaria of her generation (Iliana Raeva, Anelia Ralenkova, Lilia Ignatova, Diliana Gueorguieva) limiting her competitive victories, nevertheless Devina won gold in ribbon at the 1981 World Championships and finished 4th in all-around, the highest ranked Soviet. Devina won the 1981 Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championships in all-around ahead of silver medalist Venera Zaripova, she also won the all-around silver at the 1982 Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Championships held in Tallinn behind Dalia Kutkaitė.