From gymnastics to judo - one random visit to the gym
Everything started at 7 years old. First it was gymnastics. Then - trampoline jumping. But fate had other plans. At 13, Lyubov came to the judo section. And it took off. At 17 - already Master of Sports of the USSR in judo and sambo. Training, competitions, camps - everything was enjoyable. But combining big sports with studies at a medical institute proved impossible. She enrolled in the Omsk Institute of Physical Culture — accepted without exams. There she studied anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics. And she managed to train.
Sydney-2000 - career peak
1993–2004 - member of the Russian national team. Lyubov Bruletova steps onto the tatami in the under 48 kg weight category. Height 150 cm. Weight 48 kg. Size - not the main thing. The main thing - character.
In the final - silver. It was Russia's first Olympic medal in women's judo at those Games. 2004. Athens. Second Olympics. After it - end of career.
From athlete to coach
2005 - transition to coaching work. First worked as a coach in her city. Then - coach of the Russian national team. Later - head coach of the Russian women's national judo team.
Her students:
- Anna Balashova - continues the school's traditions
- Ekaterina Onoprienko - prize-winner of Russian championships
Words from Lyubov herself:
«I have devoted my entire life to sports. From 7 years old I did gymnastics first, then trampoline jumping, and at 13 I came to judo. It was in judo that the sports successes began. Year by year more serious. There were more and more of them, and in the end I won a silver medal at the Olympics in Sydney in 2000».
📍 Achievements
Medal tally:
🥇 Gold — 19 medals
🥈 Silver — 9 medals
🥉 Bronze — 6 medals
Key victories:
- Silver medalist of the Olympic Games (Sydney, 2000)
- Participant of the Olympic Games (Athens, 2004)
- European Judo Champion
- Sambo World Champion and medalist
- Member of the Russian national team (1993–2004)
Titles:
- Merited Master of Sports of Russia in judo
- Master of Sports of the USSR in judo (at 17)
- Master of Sports of the USSR in sambo (at 17)
📍 Awards
Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" I degree (October 12, 2022)
Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II degree