Viktoria Karpenko
Encyclopedia
Viktoria Karpenko is a World Championships silver medalist and 2000 Olympian in artistic gymnastics
. She began gymnastics
at the age of four and went on to become the Ukrainian National Champion in 1996.
in Sabae, Japan with strong performances, however was overshadowed by veteran gymnasts and did not medal. Shortly after, she injured her hamstring and was unable to compete in the 1996 Olympic Games
. The following year, she broke a finger during training and was forced to watch the 1997 World Championships
from the stands.
In March of 1998 she surprised coaches by winning the American Cup against U.S. hopefuls Vanessa Atler
and Kristen Maloney
. In April she placed second in the Uneven Bars final behind five-time World Uneven Bars Champion Svetlana Khorkina
at the European Championships. At the 1999 World Championships
, a healthy Karpenko performed with ease and placed second in the All Around competition.
Things were looking great for Karpenko in early 2000, as she won preliminaries at the prestigious European Championships in Paris. Ending up third in the All-Around, she also grabbed a silver on the uneven bars, and tied for another second place finish on floor exercise in event finals. Despite these accomplishments, Karpenko is notoriously known for her performance at the 2000 Olympic Games
the following year. A favorite for the All Around title, Karpenko was in first place going into the final rotation. As she finished her first pass on floor, she stubbed her toe, tripped, and fell out of bounds. She subsequently received a score of 8.725 and dropped 12th place.
Karpenko moved to Bulgaria in June 2002, and began two short lived comebacks in both 2003 and 2006, competing for Bulgaria. Marred by injury, she's never quite retained her form, or individual results.
Artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...
. She began gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
at the age of four and went on to become the Ukrainian National Champion in 1996.
Competitive history
Karpenko made her world debut at the 1995 World Championships1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 30th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships were held at Sun Dome Fukui in Sabae, Japan in 1995.- All-round :NB: Team rosters are incomplete.- Apparatus :- All-around :- Vault :- Uneven Bars :- Balance Beam :- Floor Exercise:...
in Sabae, Japan with strong performances, however was overshadowed by veteran gymnasts and did not medal. Shortly after, she injured her hamstring and was unable to compete in the 1996 Olympic Games
Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics
At the 1996 Summer Olympics, two different gymnastics disciplines were contested: artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. The artistic gymnastics events were held at the Georgia Dome from July 20–25 and July 28–29. The rhythmic gymnastics events were held at Stegeman Coliseum in nearby...
. The following year, she broke a finger during training and was forced to watch the 1997 World Championships
1997 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 33rd Artistic Gymnastics World Championships were held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1997.The 1997 Worlds were notable because they were the first major contest to be held after the elimination of compulsory exercises.-All-round:-Apparatus:...
from the stands.
In March of 1998 she surprised coaches by winning the American Cup against U.S. hopefuls Vanessa Atler
Vanessa Atler
Vanessa Marie Atler is a retired American elite gymnast. She was the 1996 junior all-around National Champion, the 1997 senior all-around National Champion and the 1998 Goodwill Games gold medalist on the floor exercise and vault. At the 1999 American Cup, Atler became the first female American...
and Kristen Maloney
Kristen Maloney
Kristin Ann Maloney , also known as Kristen Maloney, is a retired gymnast from Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, United States, who was coached by Jack Carter in the 2000 Olympics and won bronze in the Team Event. Maloney was also the U.S...
. In April she placed second in the Uneven Bars final behind five-time World Uneven Bars Champion Svetlana Khorkina
Svetlana Khorkina
Svetlana Vasilyevna Khorkina is a popular Russian gymnast and seven-time Olympic medalist, who is now a deputy at the Russian State Duma. With an unprecedented nine gold, eight silver, and three bronze World Championships medals, she is one of the most successful female gymnasts of her era and has...
at the European Championships. At the 1999 World Championships
1999 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 34th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships were held at Tianjin Arena in Tianjin, China in 1999.-All-around:-Apparatus:-All-around:-Apparatus:...
, a healthy Karpenko performed with ease and placed second in the All Around competition.
Things were looking great for Karpenko in early 2000, as she won preliminaries at the prestigious European Championships in Paris. Ending up third in the All-Around, she also grabbed a silver on the uneven bars, and tied for another second place finish on floor exercise in event finals. Despite these accomplishments, Karpenko is notoriously known for her performance at the 2000 Olympic Games
Gymnastics at the 2000 Summer Olympics
At the 2000 Summer Olympics, three different gymnastics disciplines were contested: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline. The artistic gymnastics and trampoline events were held at the Sydney SuperDome on September 16–25 and September 22–23, respectively...
the following year. A favorite for the All Around title, Karpenko was in first place going into the final rotation. As she finished her first pass on floor, she stubbed her toe, tripped, and fell out of bounds. She subsequently received a score of 8.725 and dropped 12th place.
Karpenko moved to Bulgaria in June 2002, and began two short lived comebacks in both 2003 and 2006, competing for Bulgaria. Marred by injury, she's never quite retained her form, or individual results.