Rodion Korshunov
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Rodion Korshunov Родіон Коршунов | |
|---|---|
 Korshunov in 1966 | |
| Senator for Myrutyn | |
| In office August 5, 1990 – January 16, 1992 | |
| President | Ivan Lecsko |
| Soravian ambassador to Vinalia | |
| In office December 11, 1988 – February 27, 1990 | |
| Preceded by | Pavel Koslov |
| Succeeded by | Iakov Morozov |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1935 Litovizh, Kriklivets FSR, UPSR |
| Died | January 16, 1992 (aged 56) Samistopol, Soravia |
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest due to excessive smoking |
| Political party | Patriots' Front (1981–1992) |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Sports career | |
| Country |  Soravia |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Position | Shooting guard / small forward |
| League | 1. Liga |
| Club | NKSK Samistopol (1953–1972) |
| Sports achievements and titles | |
| National finals | 1959, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1970 |
| Olympic finals | Patovatra 1966 |
| Personal best(s) | 48 points (vs BC Uzyn; 14/09/1964) 13 assists (vs 1919 Tumsha; 01/03/1962) 16 rebounds (vs BC Uzyn; 11/11/1966) |
Medal record | |
Rodion Korshunov (April 30, 1935–January 16, 1992; aged 56) was a Soravian professional basketball player and later politican who served as the Soravian ambassador to Vinalia from 1988 to 1990 and as a Senator for Myrutyn from 1990 to 1992. As a basketball player, Korshunov enjoyed a nineteen-year-long career with NKSK Samistopol, winning five domestic championships in the 1. Liga and leading Soravia to a gold medal at the 1966 Invictus Games on home soil, beating Chistovodia 88–81 in the final. He is often referred to as one of Soravia's greatest ever basketball players. After retirement in 1972, the breakup of the Second Soravian Republic and the Sostava War saw Korshunov begin involvement in politics in an increasingly fragile political environment. He died of a cardiac arrest in 1992.
Korshunov was born in the city of Litovizh in 1935, and joined the academy of NKSK Samistopol aged nine, in 1944, after displaying signs of excellence in basketball. His youth coaches described him as "energetic" and "eager", but also noted a proficiency in the sport uncharacteristic for his age. Aged 19, he was signed by NKSK Samistopol and participated off the bench as a small forward in the 1953 season. He was promoted to the starting lineup in 1954, where he averaged 12.2 points, 3.6 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Under coach Paval Kraǔčanka, Korshunov gradually was shifted to the shooting guard position, and in doing so became one of the league's tallest guards. His precision shooting, quickness off the dribble and agility on the ball saw Korshunov's numbers rise to 19.6 points, 4.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game in the 1956 season, where he was named to his first all-star team. That same year, he led his team in scoring as they beat Adaminka to advance to their first second-round playoff appearance since 1936.
Four straight years of all-star appearances culminated in a successful championship run in 1959, where NKSK beat rivals 1861 Samistopol 3–1 in the final series to secure the first championship in the club's history. Korshunov led the team in scoring with 26.5 points per game in the series, and also won the league's scoring title with a total of 1,260 points across the season. Korshunov also led NKSK to championships in 1961, 1962 and 1965, where he led the team in scoring, as well as 1970, where he ranked second in scoring behind Eero Määtäa. Korshunov also experienced notable international success with his native Soravian national team, where he posted 21.8 points, 7.2 assists and 6.3 rebounds a game to lead his country to invictus gold on home soil at the 1966 Invictus Games. Other invictus accolades include silver in Jindao and Keisi as well as bronze in Santa Maria. Korshunov retired from professional basketball in 1972, aged 37, as a 14-time all-star and a 5-time champion.
After retirement, Korshunov entered into politics, and joined the Patriots' Front in 1982. Korshunov's expansive cultural presence in Soravia bolstered the party's popularity amongst the general population, and especially amongst the youth. He served a minor member of the party for six years, speaking briefly at various political events and conferences, before he was assigned to be the Soravian ambassador to Vinalia in 1988. He sought election to the Voynaskul in 1990 for the province of Myrutyn, and was elected successfully in August. Korshunov died of a cardiac arrest less than two years into his tenure as a result of excessive smoking habits he had developed throughout his life.
Korshunov has a mixed legacy, as a sportsperson, he is highly regarded as one of the world's greatest basketball players, and his performances in the 1966 Invictus Games are revered for their quality. Political analysts, however, criticise him for becoming a party mouthpeace and enabling the domestic takeover of the Patriots' Front as a dominant party in Soravia. Korshunov's ashes were scattered near the Audytoria Stadion, where NKSK played their home games. In 1985, the new Soravian Pro League announced they would be naming the championship award the Rodion Korshunov Cup in honour of him.