Irina Gabashvili

Irina Gabashvili (15 August 1960 – 23 March 2009) was a Georgian-born Soviet gymnast. She began gymnastics at age 10 and was coached by Neli Saladze. She was the 1979 World individual all-around bronze medalist.

Personal life Born in Tbilisi, Gabashvili began gymnastics at age 10 and was coached by Neli Saladze. She was the 1979 World individual all-around bronze medalist. She earned a degree in history from Georgia State University and later a degree in physical culture education. Her sister, Eka, was a decade younger and a Georgian national junior high jump champion in 1985. Eka's coach, Serge Maevski, became a good friend of the family, then a good friend of Irina's. Romance blossomed, and they married on 7 April 1984. Their son, Dmitri, was born in 1986 after she had retired from competition.