Natalia Godunko
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Natal'ja Ghodun'ko Russian: Наталья Александровна Годунько Natal'ja Alieksandrovna Ghodun'ko Ukrainian: Наталія Годунко Natalija Ghodunko (born December 5th, 1984 in Kyiv, Ukraine) is an Individual Rhythmic Gymnast. She started rhythmic gymnastics in 1990 at age 6. She trains in Kyiv under the mother/daughter coaching team of Albina and Irina Deriugina.
Natal'ja has been on the Ukrainian National Team since 1998. Some years ago she was an unknown group gymnast who did a bit of individual competition but, she didn't achieve anything overly significant. She was the number 3 gymnast in Ukraine back then but, through training hard and a strong belief in herself she became noticed.
At the 2004 Athens Olympics Natal'ja qualified in 4th with a score of 102.750. In the final she came 5th (Ribbon 26.125, Clubs 26.375, Ball 25.800, Hoop 25.500). In 2005 she has become a real rival to Anna Bessonova for the position of Ukraine's Number 1 gymnast. In front of a home audience Natal'ja took out the Deriugina Cup.
