Aleksandr Berkutov

Aleksandr Nikolaevich Berkutov (Russian: Александр Николаевич Беркутов; 21 May 1933 – 7 November 2012) was a Russian rower who had his best achievements in double sculls, paired with Yuriy Tyukalov. Together they won five consecutive European titles in 1956–61,[3] the Henley Royal Regatta in 1957 and 1958, the Soviet title in 1957 and 1961, an Olympic gold medal in 1956, and an Olympic silver in 1960.[1]

Aleksandr Berkutov

Personal information
Born	21 May 1933 Zubchaninovka, Samara Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union[1][2]
Died	7 November 2012 (aged 79) Moscow, Russia
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	80 kg (176 lb)
Sport
Sport	Rowing
Club	Dynamo Moscow
Medal record Representing the  Soviet Union Olympic Games 1956 Melbourne Double sculls 1960 Rome Double sculls European Rowing Championships 1954 Amsterdam Single sculls 1956 Bled Double sculls 1957 Duisburg Double sculls 1958 Poznań Double sculls 1959 Mâcon Double sculls 1961 Prague Double sculls

Berkutov started as a single sculler, and in 1954 won the Soviet title and a bronze medal at the European Championships.[2] Next year, facing strong competition from the rising star Vyacheslav Ivanov, he changed to doubles. He retired in 1961 to become a rowing coach, and in 1972 replaced Tyukalov as the head coach of the Soviet national team. From 1990 until his death, he lectured at the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth and Tourism.[1]