site.btaBulgaria Trains First Certified Gymnastics Judges for Athletes with Down Syndrome

Bulgaria has become the world’s first country to host a specialized international course for the certification of gymnastics judges, in both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, for athletes with Down syndrome.

The course trained the first licensed judges who completed a programme developed in line with the international standards of the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics Organisation (DSIGO).

The training was led by international experts Tullio Bani, Luisa Vagliviello, and Virna Duca, along with experienced Bulgarian lecturers Marina Grozdanova, Zdravko Kurtev, and Irina Karcheva.

Slav Petkov, a member of the DSIGO Board and Chair of FAFA Bulgaria, who was responsible for ensuring accuracy in scoring and for the judging committees, participated actively in the process.

All participants who successfully completed the course received international DSIGO certificates and qualified to sit as judges at national and international championships for athletes with Down syndrome. The certificates were personally presented by DSIGO President Ensar Kurt.

The training was organized by the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics Organisation (DSIGO), with the support of the Sports Union for Athletes with Down Syndrome (SUDS) and in partnership with the Federation of Adapted Physical Activity – Bulgaria (FAPA Bulgaria).

The course was carried out with the assistance of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation, as well as within the framework of the Social Innovations project of Sofia Municipality.

This unprecedented initiative places Bulgaria firmly on the world map of adapted gymnastics and opens a new chapter in the development of sports for people with Down syndrome.

The event represents a key step in the preparation for the upcoming World Championships for Athletes with Down Syndrome, which will take place in June 2026 in Bulgaria, with the support of SUDS and DSIGO.