Biography

Zinaida (Zina) Ringenbergs (Ringenberg, in Russian: Рингенберг, in Latvian: Ringenberga, maiden name: Kochetkov / Kochetkova / Кочеткова / Kočetkova) was born on October 17, 1917 in Moscow, Russia. Her mother was Anna Mikhailovna Jakovleva (Анна Михайловна Яковлева, June 6, 1893 – April 22, 1938). Her father was Nikolai Ivanovich Kochetkov (Николай Иванович Кочетков, 1892 — 1923?). Zinaida Ringenbergs had three brothers: Alexei (Алексей), Nikolai (Николай), and Kiril (Кирилл), and one half-sister, Ludmila (Людмила) from the second mariage of her mother to Eduard Maksovich Jakobson (Эдуард Максович Якобсон).

After her mother married for the second time in 1923 and moved to Riga, Zinaida stayed in Moscow with her aunt Maria (Мария). She moved to Riga in late 1920s or early 1930s. She married Boris Ringenbergs (in Russian: Рингенберг, in Latvian: Ringenbergs) in 1940(?). After WWII, Zinaida and Boris lived in West Germany before settling in New Zealand. On August 26, 1954 she became a citizen of New Zealand.

Zinaida Ringenbergs had two children: Alexander (Alex, Саша, born in 1942) and Anna (born in 1960).

Her last known address: Zinaida Ringenbergs, 152 Acanthus Ave, Burleigh Waters, QLD 4220, Australia.

Zinaida was one of the best Latvian female athletes in late 1930s, a member of LSB (Latvijas sporta biedrība – Latvian Sports Association). After WWII she represented New Zealand at several international sports events.

Sporta Pasaule, August 21, 1936, page 3.

60 m skrējienā — meistare Alise Gailīte

60 metros bija 2 priekšskrējieni, kuru ik 3 ātrākās iekļuva finālā. Labako laiku — 8,2 sec uzrādīja Michelsone (priekšskrējienā) un Alīse Gailīte (finālā). 1. priekšskrējienā uzvarēja I. Michelsone (Liepājas LJ) 8,2 sek.; 2. Alīse Gailīte (US) 8,7; 3. F. Jakobsone (Liepājas Makkabi); 4. Z. Kočetkova (LSB). 2. priekšskrējienā — 1. O. Kalēja (LSB), 8,6; 2. I. Mittenberga (18. Daugavpils APSK) 9,0; 3. P. Fleišmane (Liepājas Makkabi) 9,2; 4. M. Jurevica (Unions). Finālā — meistare Alīse Gailīte 8,2; 2. I. Michelsone 8,5; 3. F. Jakobsone 8,6.

[18. Daugavpils APSK — 18. Daugavpils aizsargu pulka Sporta klubs, LJ — Latvju Jaunatne, US — Universitātes sports]

In 60 m race — master Alice Gailīte

There were 2 preliminary heat rounds for 60 meter sprint event, from which the 3 fastest were selected for the final race. Michelsone (preliminary rounds) and Alīse Gailīte (the final race) had the best time — 8.2 sec. I. Michelsone (Latvian Youth, Liepaja) won the 1st preliminary round with 8.2 sec; 2. Alīse Gailīte (University Sports) 8.7; 3. F. Jakobsone (Makkabi, Liepaja); 4. Z. Kočetkova (LSB). The 2nd preliminary round — 1. O. Kalēja (LSB), 8.6; 2. I. Mittenberga (Sports club of the 18th Daugavpils regiment of aizsargs) 9.0; 3. P. Fleišmane (Makkabi, Liepaja) 9.2; 4. M. Jurevica (Unions). The final race — master Alīse Gailīte 8.2; 2 I. Michelsone 8.5; 3. F. Jakobsone 8.6.

Sporta Pasaule, September 16, 1937, page 3.

Latijas 5 labākās vieglatlētes 1937. gadā

60 m (5. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 8,2), 100 m (4. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 13,4), 400 m, 800 m, 4 x 100 m, Tāllēkšana (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 5,04), Augstlēkšana, Lode [Lodes grūšana], Disks [Diska mešana], Šķēps [Šķēpa mešana].

The best 5 Latvian female athletes of 1937

60 m (5. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 8.2), 100 m (4. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 13.4), 400 m, 800 m, 4 x 100 m, Long jump (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 5.04), High jump, Shot put, Discus throw, Javelin throw.

Sporta Pasaule, October 1, 1938, page 4.

Latijas 5 labākās vieglatlētes 1938. gadā

60 m (3. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 8,3), 100 m (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 13,1), 200 m (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 28,3), 400 m, 800 m, 4 x 100 m, Tāllēkšana (5. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 4,87), Augstlēkšana (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 1,45), Lode [Lodes grūšana] (5. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 10,46), Disks [Diska mešana], Šķēps [Šķēpa mešana].

The best 5 Latvian female athletes of 1938

60 m (3. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 8.3), 100 m (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 13.1), 200 m (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 28.3), 400 m, 800 m, 4 x 100 m, Long jump (5. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 4.87), High jump (2. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 1.45), Shot put (5. Z. Kočetkova (LSB) 10.46), Discus throw, Javelin throw.

Sporta Pasaule, December 1, 1938, page 1.

Latijas 10 labākie vieglatlēti 1938. gadā

[...] 4 x 60 m stafetē LSB komandas — Z. Kočetkova, Z. Bīrīte, L. Leimane, A. Niklase — rezultāts 31,9 sek.

The best 10 Latvian athletes of 1938

[...] In 4 x 60 m relay LSB team — Z. Kočetkova, Z. Bīrīte, L. Leimane, A. Niklase - [was the best with] the result of 31.9 sec.

Sporta Pasaule, July 20, 1942, page 4.

[...] Virknējot mūsu tāllēcēju visu laiku labākos rezultātus, pirmajā desmitā izkristalizējās šādi sasniegumi[...] 3. Z. Ringenberga-Kočetkova 5,31 m 1940. g.

[...] Summing up all-time best results of our long jumpers, the following top ten achievements emerge[...] 3. Z. Ringenberga-Kočetkova 5.31 m 1940.

Latvija (Günzburg), June 5, 1947, page 4.

Z. Ringenberga grūž lodi 11,41 m

Austriešu rīkotās vieglatlētikas sacīkstēs Zalcburgā mūsu pieccīņas rekordistei Zinaīdai Ringenbergai bija skaista divcīņa ar Austrijas meistari lodes grūšanā Mariannu Šlēgeri. Uzvarēja mūsu rekordiste, sasniedzot 11,41 m tālumu. Tas ir 1947. g. labākais sasniegums Austrijā un latviešu teicamākais rezultāts emigrācijā. Z. Ringenberga tagad ir vadībā arī Bavārijas apgabala latviešu komitejas dāvātās balvas izcīņā latviešu 1947. g. labākai sportistei emigrācijā Vācijā un Austrijā. Sacīkstēs Zalcburgā Z. Ringenberga izcīnīja vēl 1. vietu tāllēkšanā (4,86 m). Šogad ne reizi nav startējusi mūsu pagājušā gada labākā vieglatlēte Mirdza Timma. Z. Ringenberga cītīgi piedalās arī volejbola sacīkstēs Glāzenbachas nometnē.

Z. Ringenberga throws shot 11.41 m

During Austrian athletics competitions held in Salzburg our pentathlon record holder Zinaida Ringenberga had a beautiful duel with Austrian shot put master Marianna Schleger. Our record holder won, reaching 11.41 m. This is the best achievement of 1947 in Austria and the most prominent result of Latvian emigration. Z. Ringenberga is now a leader in the Bavarian District by the number of awards given by Latvian committees in the competition for the best female athlete if 1947 in exile in Germany and Austria. Z. Ringenberga won first place in the long jump (4.86 m) at the competitions in Salzburg. This year, our last year's best athlete Mirdza Timm did not participate in any competitions. Z. Ringenberga also fought hard in volleyball competitions in Glasenbach camp.

Latvija (Günzburg), September 16, 1947, page 1.

Emigrācijas meistari vieglatlētikā

A. HAKELIS MET ŠĶEPU 62,311 m.

M. TIMMA LĒC AUGSTUMĀ 1,51 m

4000 skatītāju, 140 dalībnieku un 10 šis sezonas labāko sasnlegumu — tāda bija bilance pirmajās emigrācijas meistarsacīkstēs vieglatlētikā 13. un 14. sept. Nirnbergas pilsētas stadionā.

100 m skrējienā uzvarēja Priednieks (Libeka) 11,5 sek., 200 m — Priednieks 23,2 sek., 400 m R. Celms (Pinneberga) 52,9 sek., 800 m A. Niedra (Pinneb.) 2:08,2 min., 1500 m V. Āboltiņš (Hersbruka) 4:26,3 min., 3000 m V. Āboltiņš 9:36,3 min., 110 m barj. M. Pētersons (Rēgensburga) 18,3 sek., 4 X 100 m Šlezviga-Holšteina 46,4 sek., 4 X 400 m Šlezviga-Holšteina 3:43,0 min., 800 m + 400 m + 200 m + 200 m Šlezviga-Holšteina 3:51,8 min., 5000 m soļošanā J. Daliņš (Pinneberga) 24:43,6 min., šķēpā A. Hakelis (Lībeka) 62,38 m, diskā E. Poltraks (in Vircb.) 40,27 m, lodē N. Millers (in Pinneb.) 13,92 m, veseri G. Vainovskis (Gēstachta) 39,11 m, tāllēkšanā A. Gunarsons (Vircb.) 6,77 m, trissoļlēkšanā J. Mežaraups (Hanava) 12,72 m, augstlēkšanā H. Ārencītis (Eitina) 1,80 m, kārtslēkšanā E. Liporoanis (Vircb.) 3,20 m. Sieviešu sacensībās: 60 m Z. Ringenberga (Glāzenbacha, Austrijā) 8,3 sek., 100 m M. Timma (Augsburga) 13,4 sek., 4 X 60 m Fuldas YMCA 33,3 sek., šķēpā M. Riekstiņa (Gēstachta) 32,40 m, diskā N. Konce (Minch.) 30,70 m, lodē Z. Ringenberga 11,57 m, augstlēkšanā M. Timma 1,51 m, tāllēksanā Z. Ringenberga 5,07 m.

Loti sekmīgi startēja daudzi jaunās paaudzes sportisti. Sacīkstes organizēja Fišbachas tautieši.

Emigration athletics masters

A. HAKELIS THREW THE JAVELIN 62.311 m

M. TIMMA JUMPED 1.51 m

4,000 viewers, 140 members and 10 best results of this season — that was the outcome of the first emigration Championship in Athletics on September 13 and 14 at Nuremberg city stadium.

Priednieks won 100 m sprint (in Lübeck) 11.5 sec., 200 m — Priednieks 23.2 sec., 400 m R. Celms (in Pinneberg) 52.9 sec., 800 m A. Niedra (in Pinneb.) 2:08.2 min., 1500 m V. Āboltiņš (in Hersbruk) 4:26.3 min., 3000 m V. Āboltiņš 9:36.3 min., 110 m hurdling M. Pētersons (in Regensburg) 18.3 sec., 4 X 100 m in Schleswig-Holstein 46.4 sec., 4 X 400 m in Schleswig-Holstein 3:43.0 min., 800 m + 400 m + 200 m + 200 m in Schleswig-Holstein 3:51.8 min., 5000 m walking J. Daliņš (in Pinneberg) 24:43.6 min., javelin throw A. Hakelis (in Lübeck) 62.38 m, discus throw E. Poltraks (in Würzburg) 40.27 m, shot put N. Millers (in Pinneb.) 13.92 m, hammer throw G. Vainovskis (in Geesthacht) 39.11 m, long jump A. Gunarsons (in Würzburg) 6.77 m, triple jump J. Mežaraups (Hanau) 12.72 m, high jump H. Ārencītis (in Eutin) 1.80 m, pole vault E. Liporoanis (in Würzburg) 3,20 m. Women's competitions: 60 m Z. Ringenberga (in Glasenbach, Austria) 8.3 sec., 100 m M. Timma (in Augsburg) 13.4 sec., 4 X 60 m Fulda YMCA 33.3 sec., javelin throw M. Riekstiņa (in Geesthacht) 32.40 m, discus throw N. Konce (in Munich) 30.70 m, shot put Z. Ringenberga 11.57 m, high jump M. Timma 1.51 m, long jump Z. Ringenberga 5.07 m.

Many athletes of the new generation very successfully participated. The competitions were organized by compatriots from Fischbach [Displaced Persons camp].

Argus (Melbourne, VIC)

November 29, 1949.

RECORD FOR SHOT PUTT BROKEN

WELLINGTON, Sun: The New Zealand women's shot putt record, 36ft 0 1/2in, held by Yvette Williams, of Otago, was broken by both Williams and Zinaida Ringenbergs, formerly of Latvia, in a special attempt on the record at Empire Games trials on Saturday.

Williams threw 37ft 10 1/4in, Ringenbergs threw 37ft 2 3/8in. — (AAP.)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (St. Louis, Missuri), December 30, 1950, page 7.

[...] Yvette Williams of New Zealand won the women's shot put with a heave of 39 feet, 1 3/4 inches. Zinaida Ringenberg, former Latvian champion now living in New Zealand, was second with a toss of 38 feet, 5/8 inches.

The Age (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia), January 1, 1951, page 8.

[...] Christchurch, Dec. 31 (A.A.P). — The final day of the Canterbury centennial[...]

Games Event Results

Saturday

Athletics

Women

Shot Put. — Y. Williams (N.Z.), 39 ft. 1 3/4 in., 1; Z. Ringenbergs (N.Z.), 2; D. Carr (N.Z.), 3. (N.Z. record).

Boris Ringenbergs died on December 31, 2002. Zinaida Ringenbergs died on March 6, 2007. They were buried at Southport Cemetery, Queen Street, Southport, Gold Coast - Queensland, Australia.

This article is written by Vladimir Kochetkov, a Zinaida's nephew. Please contact me if you have any information about my aunt's children or grandchildren. I would like very much to get in touch with them. I would greatly appreciate your help.