Nov. 11, 2008
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois head men's gymnastics coach Yoshi Hayasaki announced today the hiring of Ivan Ivankov to serve as visiting assistant coach for the 2009 season.
"I'm very excited to become a part of Illinois gymnastics," Ivankov said. "I look forward to working with Coach Hayasaki and Coach Spring in the development of our gymnasts and continuing the tradition here at Illinois."
The 1994 and 1997 World All-Around Champion and two-time Olympian, Ivankov has spent the last five years as a men's team coach at the Bart Connor Gymnastics Academy in Norman, Okla. During his time there he was coach to Rohan Sebastian, a Level 10 gymnast representing Ireland at the 2007 Junior European championships in Lausanne, Switzerland.
One of the most accomplished gymnasts in the world over the last decade and a half, Ivankov won 10 World Championship medals, including three Gold. The Misk, Belarus, native competed at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics. He retired from international competition in 2006 after competing at the World Championships. Ivankov achieved the highest athletic level "Master of Sport" in his native land.
"I'm very pleased to bring in a person who has established himself at the World and Olympic gymnastics level," Hayasaki said. "He will be working side-by-side with our own Olympic Bronze medalist Justin Spring and with their combined knowledge at the highest level, I think this will be a `Dream Team' to lead the Illini once again to national prominence."
"I'm very excited to have the opportunity to work with Ivan," Spring said. "He is a great technical coach and will help take this team to new heights."
The Ivankov File
Hometown: Misk, Belarus
Born: April 10, 1975
Coaching Experience
Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy, 2003-2008
Competition Highlights
2004, Olympic Games, Athens, Greece - Parallel Bars, 4th
2004, European Championships - Team, 3rd
2003, European Championships - Team, 2nd
2002, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships - High bar, 2nd
2001, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships - Team, 1st; All-Around, 2nd; Parallel Bars, 3rd
2000, Olympic Games, Sydney, Australia - All-Around, 4th; Parallel Bars, 5th; Rings, 5th
1998, Goodwill Games - All-Around, 1st
1997, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships - All-Around, 1st; Team, 2nd; Still Rings, 3rd
1996, European Championships - All-Around, 1st
1994, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships - All-Around, 1st; High Bar, 3rd
1994, European Championships - Team 1st; All-Around, 1st
1993, World Artistic Gymnastics Championships - Still Rings, 3rd
