Vladimir Smirnov

Vladimir Viktorovich Smirnov (, ; 20 May 1954 – 29 July 1982) was a Ukrainian SSR Soviet foil and épée fencer. He was the 1980 Olympic champion in men's foil, and the 1981 world champion in men's foil. He was killed accidentally in a bout during the 1982 World Fencing Championships in Rome, Italy, Early life Smirnov was born in Rubizhne, Ukrainian SSR, in the Soviet Union. Fencing career At the 1979 Summer Universiade in Ciudad de México Smirnov won a gold medal in foil team, and a silver medal in individual foil. At the 1981 Summer Universiade in București he won a gold medal in individual foil, and a silver medal in foil team. At the 1977 World Fencing Championships in Buenos Aires he won a bronze medal in foil team, and at the 1978 World Fencing Championships in Hamburg Smirnov again won a bronze medal in foil team. At the 1979 World Fencing Championships in Melbourne he won a gold medal in foil team, and at the 1981 World Fencing Championships in Clermont-Ferrand he won gold medals in both individual foil and foil team. At the 1982 World Fencing Championships in Rome he was awarded the gold medal in foil team.