1. Overview
Aleksey Denisenko is a prominent Russian taekwondo practitioner known for his significant achievements in the sport, particularly at the Olympic Games. He has earned multiple Olympic medals, securing a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Throughout his career, Denisenko has also distinguished himself with numerous medals at various international competitions, including the World Taekwondo Championships, European Taekwondo Championships, European Games, and the World Taekwondo Grand Prix series.
2. Early life and background
Aleksey Alekseyevich Denisenko (Алексей Алексеевич ДенисенкоAleksey Alekseyevich DenisenkoRussian), born on August 30, 1993, is a Russian taekwondo athlete hailing from Bataysk, a town in Rostov Oblast, Russia. He is noted for his Romani descent.
2.1. Childhood and education
Denisenko pursued higher education at the Institute of Social and Pedagogical Technologies and Resources located in Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia. His academic pursuits ran concurrently with his burgeoning athletic career.
3. Taekwondo career
Aleksey Denisenko's professional taekwondo career has been marked by his affiliation with the Grandmaster Taekwondo Club in Rostov. Throughout his development as an athlete, he has been coached by Stanislav Khan, who has guided him through his competitive journey. Denisenko stands at 73 in (185 cm) tall, a physical attribute that has aided his performance in various weight categories.
4. Major achievements
Aleksey Denisenko has accumulated an impressive array of medals and accolades throughout his taekwondo career, demonstrating consistent performance at the highest levels of international competition.
4.1. Olympic Games
Denisenko is a two-time Olympic medalist.
- At the 2012 Summer Olympics held in London, he earned a bronze medal in the men's 58 kg division.
- Four years later, at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he elevated his performance to secure a silver medal in the men's 68 kg category.
4.2. World Championships
His success extends to the World Taekwondo Championships, where he has also secured multiple medals.
- In 2015, at the Chelyabinsk World Championships, Denisenko won a silver medal in the men's 68 kg featherweight division.
- He later added a bronze medal to his collection at the 2019 Manchester World Championships, also in the men's 68 kg featherweight class.
4.3. European Championships and Games
Denisenko has also achieved significant results at European-level competitions.
- He claimed a silver medal at the 2014 European Taekwondo Championships in Baku, competing in the 68 kg division.
- In 2015, at the inaugural 2015 European Games also held in Baku, he won a bronze medal in the men's 68 kg event.
4.4. World Taekwondo Grand Prix
Aleksey Denisenko has been a dominant force in the World Taekwondo Grand Prix series, securing numerous gold and silver medals across various events.
- He achieved gold medals in:
- 2013 in Manchester (68 kg)
- 2014 in Astana (68 kg)
- 2014 in Querétaro (68 kg)
- 2015 in Samsun (68 kg)
- 2018 in Moscow (68 kg)
- He also earned silver medals in:
- 2017 in Moscow (68 kg)
- 2018 in Rome (68 kg)
Denisenko at the 2016 Olympics
5. Awards and honors
Aleksey Denisenko has received official recognition from the Russian government for his athletic achievements. He was awarded the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland". Specifically, he received the medal of the second degree in 2012, following his bronze medal at the London Olympics, and the first degree in 2016, after winning the silver medal at the Rio Games.
6. Personal life
In December 2016, Aleksey Denisenko married fellow Russian taekwondo fighter Anastasia Baryshnikova.
7. Career statistics
Throughout his competitive taekwondo career, Aleksey Denisenko has participated in a notable number of tournaments and achieved a high success rate against his opponents.
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total tournaments participated | 49 |
| Total opponents faced | 130 |
| Total victories achieved | 98 |