Commemorative plaque unveiled in honor of Yuri Filimonov, esteemed coach of Uralovski, in Ekaterinburg city
Let's Talk Volleyball: Honoring a Legacy in the Urals
There's a new landmark in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in the form of a memorial plaque dedicated to Yuri Filimonov, a prominent volleyball coach. This plaque sits proudly on the building where the legend trained the reserve team for the volleyball club "Uralochka," located at 16, Malysheva Street.
Born in 1929 in the Kirov region, Yuri Filimonov made his mark in the Urals after working on the Sverdlovsk railway during the Great Patriotic War. He later turned his passion for sports into a career as a physical education teacher at School No. 83, establishing a volleyball team that snatched multiple city championship titles. His talent was spotted by Nikolai Karpol, who led "Uralochka" at the time, and for over four decades, Yuri Filimonov mentored the reserve team for "Uralochka."
Olga Belonogkina, Deputy Minister of Physical Culture and Sports of Sverdlovsk Oblast, spoke about his significance, lauding coaches as "our sports wealth, our sports gold." She emphasized the need to preserve his memory, recognizing the vital role coaches play in shaping the future of sports and athletes in the Urals, which is brimming with potential world and Olympic champions.
Yuri Filimonov bid farewell at the ripe age of 93 in 2022. His former students, eager to honor their mentor, proposed installing a memorial plaque on the Children and Youth Sports School "Uralochka." The initiative was backed by the Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the administration of Yekaterinburg.
One of the driving forces behind the idea, Natalia Zhidkova, envisioned the plaque as a lasting tribute, a beacon for future generations and those who were trained by the great coach. "He spent 30 years of his coaching life in this hall. Therefore, he has many grateful students," she said, expressing her hope that this place would serve as a symbolic nod to their mentor.
A quick glance at the star-studded array of Yuri Filimonov's students reveals his immense impact on the world of volleyball. Notable among them are Olympic champions Elena Akhaminova and Natalia Razumova, silver medalists of the Games Yevgeniya Artamonova, Tatyana Gracheva, Natalia Morozova, Elizaveta Tischenko, and Elena Vasilevskaya.
In a related note, the "Regional Newspaper" previously celebrated the jubilee of Valentina Oginenko, a legendary "Uraлоchka" volleyball player.
Diving deeper into Yuri Filimonov's influence, we find that his contributions extended far beyond the court. He played a pivotal role in cultivating the sport locally, contributing to the infrastructure, and nurturing young talent. These efforts brought international recognition to the volleyball teams from Sverdlovsk Oblast, inspiring other coaches and athletes along the way.
Sports enthusiasts and volleyball aficionados alike can find a lasting tribute to the legendary coach Yuri Filimonov at the Children and Youth Sports School "Uralochka," where he dedicated 30 years of his illustrious coaching career. This plaque serves as a beacon for future generations, a symbolic nod to the man who nurtured world-class volleyball players, including Olympic champions and silver medalists.
