Nikolay Puzanov

Nikolai Vasilyevich Pusanow (Russian Николай Васильевич Пузанов; born April 7, 1938 in Kyschtym, Chelyabinsk Oblast, former Soviet Union; † January 2, 2008 in Saint Petersburg, Russia) was a Soviet biathlete and Olympic champion.

Pusanow was initially Turner, only the military he began the cross-country skiing. At the suggestion of his coach Igor Ivanovich Bulochkin he moved in 1960 to the then fledgling sport of biathlon and launched in 1963 for the Central Army Sports Club in Leningrad ( CSKA Leningrad). Even at the Biathlon World Cup 1962 won Pusanow together with Vladimir Melanin and Valentin Pschenizyn the gold medal in the still unofficial relay competition. He qualified for the Soviet team at the Olympic Winter Games 1964. Innsbruck only the individual race over 20km was held, Pusanow was tenth in the victory of his compatriot Vladimir melanin. Four years later, in addition to the single 4 × 7.5 km biathlon relay was also the first time in the Olympic program. In the occupation of Alexander Tikhonov, Vladimir Gundarzew, Pusanow and Viktor Mamatow he won with the Soviet relay gold medal in Grenoble. In 1972, he narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympic Games in Sapporo.

Also at the Biathlon World Cup 1965 Season silver with Vladimir Melanin and Vasily Makarov was still an unofficial award, Pusanow won in Elverum but his only individual medal when he was about 20 km only beaten by the Norwegians Olav Jordet second. Again he won the biathlon relay 4 × 7.5 km ( Instrumentation: Tikhonov, Mamatow, Safin, Pusanow ) at the Biathlon World Championships 1967 in Altenberg the silver medal, the competition was in that year for the second time an official part of the competition program. He was also winner of the first winter Spartakiade 1962 and 18 times Soviet Champion and multiple military masters. He was awarded the distinction of Honored Master of Sports, also 1969, he was awarded the medal " За трудовое отличие » ( In special situations ). In 1970 he completed his studies at the University of Physical Culture in St. Petersburg. He then worked at the Military Medical Academy in Kirov at the Physics Institute, he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. Pusanow was married and had a son and a daughter. He was buried at the cemetery Serafimov in Saint Petersburg.