Viktor Mednov
Viktor Ivanovich Mednov was a Russian boxer from the Soviet Union who won a silver medal in the light welterweight division at the 1952 Olympics. He had a difficult second bout with Francisc Ambrus of Romania, with Mednov prevailing when the referee stopped the bout due to bad cuts sustained by both opponents. Mednov had a break in the semifinal, as Erkki Mallenius withdrew with a hand injury. In the final he was defeated by Chuck Adkins in a 2–1 decision. This was the first boxing match between boxers from the United States and the Soviet Union.
Mednov was known for his strength and power – he could hold the Azaryan Cross on gymnastic rings and punched the bags in training so viciously that his hands were bleeding despite ample protection. In retirement he worked as a boxing coach for his sports society Trudovye Rezervy and painted landscapes as a hobby.
1952 Olympic results
Below are Viktor Mednov's results from the 1952 Olympic boxing tournament in Helsinki, Finland where Mednov competed for the Soviet Union as a light welterweight:- Round of 32: defeated Norman Jones TKO 2
- Round of 16: defeated Fransisc Ambrus referee stopped bout due to cuts
- Quarterfinal: defeated Rene Weismann by decision
- Semifinal: defeated Erkki Aarno Mallenius by walkover
- Final: lost to Charles Adkins by decision ; was awarded silver medal