Valentin Prokopov
Encyclopedia
Valentin Ivanovich Prokopov is a Russian
water polo
player who competed for the Soviet Union
in the 1952 Summer Olympics
and in the 1956 Summer Olympics
. He is perhaps best remembered as the man who struck Hungarian player Ervin Zádor
in the Blood in the Water match
.
In 1952 he was part of the Soviet team which finished seventh in the Olympic water polo tournament
. He played all nine matches and scored at least two goals (not all scorers are known).
Four years later he won the bronze medal with the Soviet team in the 1956 tournament. He played six matches without scoring a goal.
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic , commonly referred to as Soviet Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or simply Russia, was the largest, most populous and economically developed republic in the former Soviet Union....
water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
player who competed for the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
and in the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
. He is perhaps best remembered as the man who struck Hungarian player Ervin Zádor
Ervin Zador
Ervin Zádor is a Hungarian retired water polo player and former member of the Hungarian national team.-Career:At the age of 21 Zádor represented Hungary at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. He played four matches and scored five goals.The Soviet Union and Hungary fielded competitive water...
in the Blood in the Water match
Blood In The Water match
The "Blood in the Water" match was a water polo match between Hungary and the USSR at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The match, which took place on December 6, 1956, was against the background of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and saw Hungary defeat the USSR 4–0...
.
In 1952 he was part of the Soviet team which finished seventh in the Olympic water polo tournament
Water polo at the 1952 Summer Olympics
-Medal summary:-Results:For the team rosters see: Water polo at the 1952 Summer Olympics - Men's team squads.-Final standings:-References:*...
. He played all nine matches and scored at least two goals (not all scorers are known).
Four years later he won the bronze medal with the Soviet team in the 1956 tournament. He played six matches without scoring a goal.