Iryna Goncharova
Women's Program Compulsory and Optional Team Coach and Choreographer
Iryna joined Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in the summer of 2020, where she is coaching Level 4-6 girls team. With her impressive experience and knowledge, as well as an excellent choreographing skills, our team continues to improve and succeed under her leadership. BCGA team stayed undefeated all 2020 season and became team State Champions in addition to earning numerous individual State titles.
Before moving to Oklahoma, Iryna coached in Texas for five years, where she worked with the optional women's team and was the head choreographer. Under her guidelines, the team achieved their goal of increasing the number of State champions and Regional qualifiers.
Iryna was born in Kyiv (Ukraine) where she started gymnastics at age 6 and had a successful career by coached by Ghalina Chieghimagha. Goncharova (maiden name Yarotska) is former Olympian, multiple time National Champion and World and European medalist. At 2004 Olympics in Athens, Iryna placed 6th in All-Around Final and took 4th place with her teammates in the Team Final. Her favorite event is “beam” and this is where she won the bronze medal at the 2002 World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. The following year she placed 4th in all-around at the 2003 World Championships in Anaheim, USA and won 3 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals at the 2003 World University Games in Daegu, South Korea. After retiring from competitive gymnastics, Iryna served as a team coach-consultant for the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation and worked with the National team at the Ukrainian Olympic Center from 2009 to 2012.
Additionally Iryna has an Eponymous Skill on Uneven Bars: Backward stalder circle on low bar with hecht to hang on high bar (C value).
In 2007, Iryna graduated with high distinction from the National University of Physical Education and Sport of Ukraine, earning Masters degrees in Olympic and Professional Sport.
Iryna is married to Olympic Champion, OU men's gymnastics assistant coach Valeriy Goncharov. They are parents to two children Mark and Miron.
Fun facts about Iryna: she did figure skating from age 4 to 6, she is a self-taught graphic designer and speaks three languages.