Gymnastics
- Title:
- Volunteer Coach
- Email:
- okoltakov@ia.ua.edu
- Phone:
- 205-348-3600
Oleksii Koltakov joined the Crimson Tide’s staff as a volunteer coach in February 2021, helping bolster the Alabama gymnastics team to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a top-five national finish.
“It has been an honor to join the legendary University of Alabama gymnastics program,” Koltakov said. “Everyday is exciting working with the girls and learning among this strong experienced coaching staff. I look forward to continuing to develop the athletes towards reaching excellence in and out of the gym.”
Koltakov began his coaching career at the Piddubny Olympic College and Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation in 2013. He has since coached at National Elite Gymnastics in Austin, Texas as well as serving as a High Performance coach at numerous camps and clinics across the United States.
“As a staff and team, we all felt the positive impact of Oleksii’s arrival at the end of regular season and beginning of post-season,” UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. “It was a win-win for all. His kind personality, passion for the sport and drive to learn everything about college gymnastics was a breath of fresh air and kept me smiling. Oleksii has been like a sponge, absorbing everything as he watches film, sits in meetings, observes how we do things and also find ways to contribute and make our team better. He has an eye for technique, is a good spotter and brought new drills and ideas to our team and our ladies appreciate his wonderful sense of humor.”
In addition to coaching, Koltakov has performed as an artistic acrobat as part of Cirque du Soleil throughout North America.
A former member of the Ukraine National Team, Koltakov competed at the 2009 European Championships in Milano, Italy as well as the 2009 World Cup in Ostrava, Czech Republic, where the Ukraine was a finalist. He also helped lead the Ukraine to the finals of the 2011 World Cup in Stuttgart, Germany.
He was a five-time Ukrainian Pommel Horse Champion from 2008-12 and the Ukrainian Floor Exercise Champion in 2011. He led his team to the Ukrainian Championship in both 2009 and 2011.
A two-time graduate of the National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine, he earned his bachelor’s degree in coaching and physical education in 2009 and a master’s degree biomechanics of sport specializing in Olympic and professional sports.
Koltakov is married to British Olympic gymnast Marissa King. In addition to representing Great Britain at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, King also competed at the 2007 and 2009 World Championships. An 11-time All-American, King won the 2011 NCAA Vault Champion
“Oleksii adores his wife, Marissa, and not only do they make a special couple, I love how much they support one another toward their goals and aspirations,” Duckworth said.
