Great news!
Today, Emīlija Sonka has joined our association.
Emīlija Sonka (née Putniņa) is a former Latvian cyclist, born in 1939 in Kuldīga. She represented the USSR in international competitions and became the first athlete of the USSR to win a gold medal at the UCI Road World Championships in 1964, triumphing in the women’s road race in Sallanches, France.
In addition to this outstanding achievement, Emīlija Sonka is a three-time USSR champion: in 1963 in track cycling, in 1964 in the 20 km road race, and in 1968 in the 20 km individual time trial. In total, she won 12 medals at USSR Championships, as well as multiple titles at Latvian national championships.
In 1965, Emīlija Sonka was awarded the title of Honoured Master of Sport of the USSR. Her final road cycling competitions took place in 1970 at the USSR Championships, where she and the Latvian national team won a bronze medal.
After concluding her active sporting career, from 1976 to 1990, Emīlija worked as a coach at the sports society “Dinamo”.
A 1964 archival feature about Emīlija Sonka
is available here (start watching from 2:40):
View archival footage
📸 Photo Gallery
Please note: copying, reproduction or any use of the photographs without written permission from the Cycling Sports Association “Latvello” is prohibited.
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