Ants Antson (11 November 1938 – 31 October 2015) was an Estonian speed skater who competed for the Soviet Union.[1]

Ants Antson
Ants Antson in 1966
Personal information
Born(1938-11-11)11 November 1938
Tallinn, Estonia
Died31 October 2015(2015-10-31) (aged 76)
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Sport
SportSpeed skating
ClubKalev Tallinn
Medal record
Representing the  Soviet Union
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1964 Innsbruck 1500 m

Biography

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Antson trained at the Kalev Voluntary Sports Society. Coached by former World, Olympic, and European Champion Boris Shilkov, Antson had his best year in 1964, when he became European Allround Champion, won the 1500 m event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, and set a new world record in the 3000 m. For his achievements that year, he received the Oscar Mathisen Award.[1]

The two gold medals Antson won in 1964 turned out to be his only international medals, although he did win some national medals at the Soviet Allround Championships – gold in 1967, silver in 1965 and 1968, and bronze in 1966. He participated in the 1500 m at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, but despite skating a new personal record, he finished only twelfth.[1]

He retired shortly after the 1968 Games and worked as a sports official, first in the Soviet Estonian Committee for Physical Culture and Sports, and later with the Estonian Olympic Committee. At the 1992 Winter Olympics he became the first flag bearer for Estonia after it became independent from the Soviet Union.[1]

In 1965, Antson married Estonian film actress Eve Kivi, the couple would divorce in 1972. He later married Ene Antson and the couple remained married until his death; one week and four days before his 77th birthday.

Medals

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An overview of medals won by Antson at important championships he participated in, listing the years in which he won each:[1]

Championships Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal
Winter Olympics 1964 (1500 m)
World Allround
European Allround 1964
Soviet Allround 1967 1965
1968
1966

Records

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World records

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Over the course of his career, Antson skated one world record:[1]

Discipline Time Date Location
3000 m 4:27.3 11 February 1964   Oslo

Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com[2]

Personal records

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To put these personal records in perspective, the WR column lists the official world records on the dates that Antson skated his personal records.

Event Result Date Venue WR
500 m 40.7 16 January 1968 Medeo 39.5
1500 m 2:07.2 16 February 1968 Grenoble 2:02.5
3000 m 4:27.3 11 February 1964 Oslo 4:27.6
5000 m 7:34.8 16 January 1968 Medeo 7:26.2
10000 m 15:57.7 18 January 1964 Oslo 15:33.0
Big combination 177,198 17 January 1968 Medeo 176.982

Source: SpeedskatingResults.com[3]

Antson has an Adelskalender score of 176.465 points. His highest ranking on the Adelskalender was fourth place.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Ants Antson. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ "Ants Antson". SpeedSkatingStats.com. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Ants Antson". SpeedskatingResults.com. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
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Awards
Preceded by Oscar Mathisen Award
1964
Succeeded by
Preceded by Estonian Sportspersonality of the Year
1964
Succeeded by