The 200m breaststroke champion of the 1980 Moscow Olympics was 65 years old.
On Saturday, R. Žulpa’s comrade, prize winner of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, former swimmer Arvydas Juozaitis, shared a message of condolence on social media.
“Robert, brother. You left too soon.
Our swimming is extraordinary. The youngest sport. In our 20s, we were able to reach all the heights possible. You made it, Robert.
It was always very dear to me that you were a breaststroker swimming four years later, in the next Olympic cycle. The most talented brass player. Best swimming data brasist. The fact that you were together, with Lina Katišušyte, is also precious. And both are at the OLYMPIC TOP.
The “Lietuvos bras mokykla” which was started and established has gained a mark of global recognition. Rūta Meilutytė also decorated that school in a new era, already in the 21st century.
Of the four breaststrokers on the Olympic podium, we are left with three.
You left too soon, Robert.
But how well you performed the swim of your life!
In the exclusive photo, we see you, the children of the 20th century, the most precious indoor pool of “Žalgiris” in Vilnius. Who would we be without him!
Robert, you are staying with Zalgiris. You are staying with “Lietuvos Bras Mokykla”. Stay with us”, A. Juozaitis wrote on Facebook.
Born in Vilnius, R. Žulpa became not only an Olympic champion during his career. The swimmer even won gold at the European Championships three times and once became the vice-champion of the planet and the winner of the Universiade.
The swimming star also became the Soviet Union swimming champion 12 times, won the European Swimming Cup five times.
R. Žulpa held the world record for 200 m breaststroke – 2 minutes. 15.85 sec.
In 1981, the native of Vilnius was elected the most popular Lithuanian athlete.
R. Žulpa was also awarded the Olympic Star of the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (2010) and the Medal for Merit to Olympism (2015), the Sports Cross of Honor of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports (2015) and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Gediminas (2024) .).
2024-09-01 00:31:28