Russia’s Konstantin Sosunov passes away

Russian wheelchair dance world champion Konstantin Sosunov has passed away at the age of 44.

Sosunov was a European champion and four-time Russian champion. He also owned gold medals from World and Continent’s Cups.

Competing in the class 2, Sosunov and his spouse Elena Shilyayeva were the first world champions among duo couples to win both Latin and standard separately.

The 2008 IPC Wheelchair Dance Sport World Championships was the first time the Latin and standard was split, and the couple won both programmes.

“Konstantin was a reliable, determined and open-hearted member of Russian national team; he had friends among athletes from all over the world,” the Russian National Paralympic Committee wrote in a memorial.

“He was not only exceptionally good partner in dance sport, but also an affectionate husband for Elena Shilyayeva. Together they achieved great success!

“The performance of this marvelous couple was always an example of elegance to be followed by colleagues.”