https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/rss Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:18:48 +0300 en hourly 1 https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1144435-bulgarian-olympic-committee-s-bank-accounts-empty-but-expects-ioc-funding-to-be- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1144435-bulgarian-olympic-committee-s-bank-accounts-empty-but-expects-ioc-funding-to-be- Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:52:00 +0300 The Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) has liabilities of about EUR 360,000 and empty bank accounts, but funding from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is expected to be restored soon, BOC Chair Vesela Lecheva said after a meeting of the organization's Executive Bureau on Wednesday. Lecheva said the financial situation inherited by the new leadership was extremely worrying and that the Supervisory Board had been tasked with carrying out an internal review of all documents. The report is expected by the end of June. According to Lecheva, one of BOC's bank accounts had a negative balance and a donation from Bulgarian Judo Federation President Rumen Stoilov was needed to prevent the electricity supply from being cut off. She said the committee planned to establish a new directorate dedicated to European projects and programmes, with a focus on opportunities under Erasmus+ and IOC initiatives. A redesigned BOC website will provide information on those programmes. Lecheva also said Olympic festivals would no longer be held exclusively in Albena but would be hosted by smaller municipalities around the country. This year's Olympic Day on June 23 will be celebrated in Troyan. She added that discussions would be held with IOC financial officials during the European Olympic Committees General Assembly in Budapest and expressed confidence that IOC funding would be restored in the near future. Board member Volodya Zlatev said Bulgaria had secured 16 quotas for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games later this year. The delegation includes 13 coaches. Sport Teodora Lyubenova Georgi Krumov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1144211-nearly-400-rowers-from-22-countries-to-compete-at-world-rowing-cup-in-plovdiv https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1144211-nearly-400-rowers-from-22-countries-to-compete-at-world-rowing-cup-in-plovdiv Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:10:40 +0300 Nearly 400 rowers from 22 countries will compete in the second round of the 2026 World Rowing Cup event in Plovdiv from June 12 to 14, members of the organizing committee announced at a press conference held at the city's rowing venue. The briefing was attended by organizing committee chair Ivan Popov, Plovdiv Deputy Mayor for Sports and Youth Activities Nikolay Bukhalov (Olympic canoe champion), Bulgarian Rowing Federation President Svilen Neykov, and competition director Nikola Gospodarski. The competition will be attended by World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland and Executive Director Vincent Gaillard. Popov said preparations for the event had proceeded smoothly, although he noted that the Indian team was still awaiting the issuance of visas. Neykov used the occasion to call for additional financial support from the Youth and Sports Ministry, arguing that current funding levels are insufficient. "We expected greater support from the Sports Ministry. In an interview yesterday, the minister noted that many federations criticize the ministry. We have always been grateful for the support we receive, but what we currently have is not enough. We are expecting additional funding because the costs are enormous. The racing lanes are exposed to weather conditions and deteriorate over time. At the moment, we do not have any medical coverage in place. We need financial support and hope for a swift solution, as the competition begins on Friday," Neykov said. He added that the rowing venue is exceptionally expensive to maintain. "The infrastructure is unique and extremely costly. After a stadium, it is probably the most expensive sports facility to maintain. Conditions for a competition of this level are crucial if athletes are to perform at their best. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure participants feel comfortable and can compete under optimal conditions," he said. Bulgaria will be represented by two crews in the men's double sculls event. The boats will feature Valentin Andonov and Mario Neykov, and Hristo Neshev and Iliyan Stoilov. "The athletes competing this year are young rowers. We hope that next year we will be able to build a crew capable of qualifying for the Olympic Games. At present, these are Bulgaria's most competitive athletes among the senior men and women," Neykov said. Bukhalov stressed that hosting another event of this calibre would strengthen Plovdiv's bid to become European Capital of Sport in 2028. "Plovdiv has always been ready to host major sporting events. This is yet another high-profile competition at the Rowing Canal. The city's hotel capacity is sufficient to accommodate both participants and visitors. Every event of this kind contributes to our application for the title of European Capital of Sport 2028, and I believe we are making good progress in that direction," the two-time Olympic champion said. Commenting on the lack of prominent Bulgarian rowers at senior level, Bukhalov said rowing demands exceptional dedication and perseverance. "Rowing is a demanding sport. It requires commitment and consistency. Many young people take up the sport, but when greater sacrifices become necessary, some choose to quit. We are seeing strong interest in recreational sport, but elite sport requires tremendous willpower and persistence. That is the only way to achieve top results," he said. Gospodarski described Plovdiv's rowing course as one of the finest in the world. "I have seen all the major rowing venues around the globe, and very few can match the conditions here. Plovdiv probably has the best rowing course in the world. It offers the fairest racing conditions, with equal width and depth throughout the course and consistent wind conditions across all lanes," he said. The organizing committee also recalled that the Plovdiv Rowing Canal will host the World Rowing Under-19 Championships from August 6 to 9. Sport Risida Dimitrova Dimitar Petkov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1143345-sports-minister-keryazov-outlines-priorities-signals-changes-in-sports-governan https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1143345-sports-minister-keryazov-outlines-priorities-signals-changes-in-sports-governan Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:31:03 +0300 Youth and Sports Minister Encho Keryazov presented the challenges, priorities and key areas of his work for the coming months at a news briefing on Tuesday at his ministry, outlining measures planned to support Bulgarian sport and youth policy. Deputy Minister Yulia Todorova also attended the briefing, during which Keryazov introduced the team that will assist him in implementing the goals and policy programme of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. "We held a working meeting with all directorates in the ministry. I met all the employees and conducted an anonymous survey, which gave us a clear picture of the problems within the institution. Based on the results, I decided to propose that Ms Todorova take up the post [deputy minister] because she has extensive experience within these structures," Keryazov said. Todorova holds a master's degree in Economics and Management of Industry and a master's degree in Business Administration – Senior Management from the University of National and World Economy. She is a certified internal auditor in the public sector and has 30 years of professional experience, including 26 years in public administration. Keryazov said he expected to appoint a second deputy minister by the end of the month. "I want to make the right choice. The person will have a different professional profile," he said. The minister also presented the findings of an analysis of the ministry, the sports sector, youth policy and sports federations conducted after he took office on May 8. "We need amendments to the Physical Education and Sports Act that serve athletes first and foremost. At the moment, the system is structured differently. I know it will not be easy, but we now have a clear roadmap and we must deliver," Keryazov said. He indicated that the management boards of three state-owned sports companies – National Sports Base, Serdika Sports Properties and Akademika 2011 – were likely to be replaced after the companies reported combined losses of approximately BGN 9 million. National Sports Base posted losses of about BGN 3 million, Serdika Sports Properties around BGN 4 million and Akademika 2011 approximately BGN 2 million. "Even if they are not profitable, they cannot be operating at a loss," Keryazov said. He added that work with the Bulgarian Sports Totalizator would also be among his priorities. While the state lottery operator reported a profit of BGN 30 million, "these results could be significantly better," he said. Sport Yoanna Vodenova Vasil Trifonov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142543-bulgaria-wins-silver-secures-u21-european-championship-qualification-at-preside https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142543-bulgaria-wins-silver-secures-u21-european-championship-qualification-at-preside Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:04:15 +0300 Bulgaria concluded its participation in the President's Cup - Europe 2026  taekwondo tournament in Nuremberg, Germany, with a silver medal and another qualification spot for the 2026 European Championships Under 21, which will be held in Romania in November. The silver was won by national team member Stefan Stamenov of Sung-Ri Atlantic club in Botevgrad (West Bulgaria), who claimed silver in the men's 74 kg category. Stamenov opened his campaign with a 2:0 victory over Germany's Efe Bilgin. He followed that with another 2:0 win against the Netherlands' Sjoerd van der Meer to secure a place in the semifinals.  There, the Bulgarian faced one of the strongest competitors in the category, European champion Stefan Takov, who recently won a bronze medal at the Rome Grand Prix. Stamenov advanced to the final after prevailing in a three-round contest.  In the title match, he faced China's Lixingjun Diao. The final also went the full three rounds, with Stamenov coming close to securing gold before losing the decisive round and settling for silver. The result earned Bulgaria another qualification for the Under-21 European Championships in November, following the qualification secured by Martin Evtimov. Bulgarian athletes won a total of nine medals at the tournament in Nuremberg. Sport Iva Krasteva Teodora Lyubenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142341-medal-ceremony-for-winners-of-beach-pro-tour-futures-in-sveti-vlas-takes-place https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142341-medal-ceremony-for-winners-of-beach-pro-tour-futures-in-sveti-vlas-takes-place Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:14:37 +0300 The Ukrainian women’s pair and the Hungarian men’s team won the titles at the Beach Volleyball Beach Pro Tour Futures tournament in Sveti Vlas. In the women’s competition, the runners-up were athletes from the United States, while third place went to representatives of Argentina. In the men’s competition, the silver medals went to the Serbian pair, and the bronze was won by the Ukrainian team. The award ceremony took place after the end of the tournament and was led by members of the organizing and technical staff, including tournament director Daniela Dineva, organizational director Iva Partaleva, technical director Lazar Kirilov, and technical delegate Herwin Brillemans. The ceremony also involved Anita Boshnakova, Martin Boshnakov, and Nadezhda Polyakova, who also presented awards to the winners. Daniela Dineva told BTA that the competition is held for the third consecutive year and is gradually becoming established in the beach volleyball calendar. She noted that the organizers provide good conditions for the participants and highlighted the impressions of athletes from various countries, including Australia and Argentina, who highly praised the conditions in Sveti Vlas. Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov, who was also present at the ceremony and spoke with some of the competitors, added that such events contribute to the promotion of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and present the country to an international audience. He noted the participation of representatives from over 30 countries and added that the tournament is broadcast abroad, which further helps promote Bulgaria. Dimitrov added that the sand in Sveti Vlas meets high standards, confirmed by tests conducted in Canada prior to the tournament. Sport Petya Petrova BTA correspondent in Burgas Stanimir Dimitrov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142183-nikola-tsolov-takes-victory-in-f2-feature-race-in-monaco https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142183-nikola-tsolov-takes-victory-in-f2-feature-race-in-monaco Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:10:00 +0300 Nikola Tsolov took victory at the Monaco Formula 2 Feature Race on Sunday, his second win of the season. The Bulgarian driver demonstrated excellent tactical skill, spending nearly the entire race in second place, but took the lead on the final lap and secured his third podium finish in just eight races. His previous win was in the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix. Alex Dunne was second on the road, while Dino Beganovic rounded out the top three. "It is an incredible feeling to win three times in Monaco - in Formula 3 and now in Formula 2," Tsolov commented after the race, as quoted by the Diema Sport 3 television channel. "It feels as though my mission at this circuit is almost complete. I really love this place. In qualifying, I was first in my group. Unfortunately, I narrowly missed out on pole position. Today, however, I fought until the very end and never gave up for a moment. Rafael Camara also had good pace, but we executed our strategy better, so I feel incredible. It is great redemption after what happened in Canada," Tsolov said. In late May, during a race weekend in Montreal, Canada, Tsolov was handed penalties in both the sprint race and the feature race. As a result, he finished 14th and 12th, respectively. In his comment after Sunday's competition in Monaco, the young driver also said: "Throughout the first phase of the race I was pushing, trying to stay close to Rafa and force him into a mistake. At one point, however, I felt my tyres beginning to deteriorate. After that, I focused on putting together a clean first lap after the pit stop. It was very slippery, but I managed it. The best feeling is crossing the finish line first. In Formula 2 it is even better. After the difficult moments of the past two weekends, this victory is even sweeter." Sport Valentin Evstatiev Dimitrina Solakova Kremena Mladenova Georgi Krumov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142057-bulgarian-and-international-football-veterans-gather-in-burgas-for-match-of-hop https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1142057-bulgarian-and-international-football-veterans-gather-in-burgas-for-match-of-hop Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:35:00 +0300 A Bulgaria football team lost to an international All Stars side 3-4 during a Match of Hope in Burgas on Saturday in support of various charitable causes. The initiative came from Stiliyan Petrov, former captain of the Bulgarian national squad, an inductee at England's Aston Villa Hall of Fame and winner of four Scottish Premier League titles and six other trophies with Celtic. Part of the funds raised from the event will be directed towards supporting the medical treatment of ex-football stars Lyuboslav Penev and Petar Hubchev. Before the game at Lazur Stadium in the coastal city, the President of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, said: "I am here to personally support this cause. I am seeing Stiliyan Petrov in person for the first time. Until now I have only watched him in football matches and followed his career throughout the years. This initiative is not only charitable; it shows that we can unite around a cause and be in solidarity – not only with those in need, but also with everyone else." President Iotova sees "something very symbolic" about the fact that the match was taking place just a few days before the FIFA World Cup. She said she adores football. A number of well-known names from Bulgarian and world football and public figures from other spheres of life took part in the fundraising match. The evening at Lazur Stadium began with a live show by Bulgarian singer Papi Hans. The event was attended by the Youth and Sports Minister  Encho Keryazov, Burgas Mayor Dimitar Nikolov and Deputy Mayor for Tourism and Sports Manol Todorov, and members of the Bulgarian parliament. In March 2012, Stiliyan Petrov was diagnosed with acute leukaemia, suspending his football career to undergo treatment which was ultimately successful. In August 2012, it was announced that the midfielder's leukaemia was in remission. He announced his retirement from football in May 2013, and led his family out on the Villa Park pitch for a lap of honour, to applaud the Aston Villa fans who supported him during his illness, on the final day of the 2012–13 season. Later, he worked as a coach. Petrov has initiated several charity football matches. Sport Valentin Evstatiev BTA correspondent Stanimir Dimitrov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1141979-two-titles-and-three-silvers-for-bulgarian-wrestlers-so-far-at-ulaanbaatar-open- https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1141979-two-titles-and-three-silvers-for-bulgarian-wrestlers-so-far-at-ulaanbaatar-open- Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:31:17 +0300 Bulgarian wrestlers Biliana Dudova and Magomed Ramazanov won silver medals on Saturday at the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series 2026 in the capital of Mongolia. Earlier in the tournament, Bulgaria's Stoyan Kubatov (77kg) and David Dimitrov (82kg) won titles in the men's Greco-Roman style, while Aik Mnatsakanyan (77kg) claimed silver. Dudova recorded three victories in the women's 62kg category, defeating South Korea's Subin Ju 11-0, India's world under-20 silver medallist Nikita Nikita 4-2, and Mansi Mansi, also from India, bronze medallist at the 2024 World Championships, 6-4 in the semi-finals. In the final, the world champion and four-time European champion suffered a 10-0 defeat to North Korea's Ok Ju Kim, last year's world silver medallist. Bulgaria's Olympic champion Magomed Ramazanov also claimed three victories, in the men's freestyle 86kg division. However, he did not compete in the final against Iran's Mohammad Nokhodilarimi, a three-time world silver medallist in the lower weight category (79 kg), due to injury and therefore settled for silver. Earlier, Ramazanov opened with an 8-2 win over Kazakhstan's Bolat Sakaev and followed it with a 5-0 victory against Russia's Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov. In the semi-finals, the Bulgarian international defeated Mongolia's Batbilgun Naadambat 10-0. Shamil Mamedov (65kg) is also due to compete for Bulgaria on Sunday, the final day of the Ulaanbaatar Open. His opponent will be India's Monit. Sport Valentin Evstatiev Kremena Mladenova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1141804-bulgaria-draws-moldova-in-final-friendly-ahead-of-nations-league https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1141804-bulgaria-draws-moldova-in-final-friendly-ahead-of-nations-league Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:21:07 +0300 The Bulgarian national football team could only manage a 2–2 draw away to Moldova in its final match before the start of the UEFA Nations League fixtures this autumn. Georgi Rusev gave Bulgaria the lead in the 23rd minute, while Marin Petkov restored the advantage in the 76th minute. The hosts equalized on both occasions through Victor Bogaciuc and their captain Vladyslav Baboglo, who scored five minutes from time. For Petkov, it was his seventh goal for the national team. With that tally, he equaled the international scoring records of Georgi ‘Jeki’ Dimitrov Georgi ‘Cherveniya’ Dimitrov, and Svetoslav Todorov. Bulgaria’s head coach Aleksandar Dimitrov made eight changes to the starting lineup compared with Monday’s 0–1 defeat to Montenegro in Plovdiv. The only players to retain their places were Dimitar Velkovski, Petko Panayotov, and Lukas Petkov. During the match, Dimitrov made nine substitutions and should now have a clearer idea of which players he can rely on in the autumn, when Bulgaria begins its Nations League campaign with home matches against Luxembourg and Estonia. Sport Petya Petrova Atanas Vasilev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1140944-bozhidar-saraboyukov-wins-long-jump-at-rome-diamond-league-meeting https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1140944-bozhidar-saraboyukov-wins-long-jump-at-rome-diamond-league-meeting Fri, 05 Jun 2026 07:52:00 +0300 Athlete of Bulgaria 2025 Award holder Bozhidar Saraboyukov won the men's long jump event at the Diamond League meeting in Rome on Thursday. The European indoor long jump champion secured victory with a superb final-round leap of 8.26 metres, having been in third place before his last attempt. The result marked his first career win on the Diamond League circuit, the premier series of one-day athletics meetings, and Bulgaria's first-ever Diamond League victory in a men's event. Until now, the country's only Diamond League winner had been sprint star Ivet Lalova-Collio in the women's events. The World Indoor Championships bronze medallist opened with 8.13 metres and then recorded jumps of 8.00, 7.98, 7.98 and 7.96 metres, completing all six attempts successfully. "Perhaps this is the first competition this season that I am really satisfied with. Not because of the result, but because I showed the fighting spirit I wanted to show. I'm extremely happy because this is my first Diamond League victory and also because I got injured here last year. The crowd was absolutely incredible," Saraboyukov told Max One after the competition. Second place went to Greece's Miltiadis Tentoglou, the two-time Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 and world champion from Budapest 2023, who jumped 8.24 metres with his final attempt. Cuba's Jorge Hodelin finished third with 8.18 metres. For Saraboyukov, Bulgaria's national record holder in the event, this was his third Diamond League appearance of the season. He opened his campaign in China, finishing second in Shanghai with 8.07 metres before placing third in Xiamen with 8.29 metres. His next Diamond League appearance is scheduled for July 10 in Monte Carlo. Sport Yoanna Vodenova Iva Krasteva https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1140308-over-400-athletes-from-27-countries-to-compete-at-down-syndrome-world-championsh https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1140308-over-400-athletes-from-27-countries-to-compete-at-down-syndrome-world-championsh Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:50:29 +0300 More than 400 athletes from 27 countries will gather in Sofia to compete in the BAUHAUS Down Syndrome World Championships Bulgaria 2026 from June 13 to 19. BTA is a media partner of the event.  A press conference at BTA’s National Press Club on Thursday was attended by Federation for Adapted Physical Activity President Slav Petkov, Sofia Deputy Mayor for Education, Sport and Youth Activities Desislava Zhelyazkova, Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation President  Krasimir Dunev, Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation Vice President Nevyana Vladinova, and BTA Deputy Director General Evgenia Drumeva. "BTA has been our partner for a long time and has always been welcoming in sharing the positive developments taking place here. Today I will also present the national team that will represent Bulgaria on home soil. This forum is being held for the first time not only in Bulgaria but also in Eastern Europe. That is precisely why interest is exceptionally high. I am very pleased that we will welcome participants from more than 17 countries. Our coaches and young athletes have invested all their efforts to ensure that we proudly represent the Bulgarian flag," Petkov said. He added that organizing the event had required considerable effort from the entire team involved, including the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Sofia Municipality and all sponsors supporting the initiative. Drumeva wished the participants success and reaffirmed the BTA’s support as a media partner of the championship. She said their qualification for a world championship was already a significant achievement, reflecting the hard work and dedication each athlete had invested to reach that level. The championships will feature five sports: athletics, tennis, table tennis, artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics. Bulgaria will be represented by 20 athletes, five in athletics, five in men's artistic gymnastics, seven in rhythmic gymnastics, and one each in tennis, table tennis and women's artistic gymnastics. The Bulgarian team includes Emilian Kostadinov, Ramonola Sikander, Plamen Grozdanov, Vasilena Bogdanova, Dilyana Popova, Tomislava Stoyanova, Boyan Vandov, Alexandar Asenov, Radena Angelova and others. The official opening ceremony will take place on June 14 at 8:00 pm at the National Palace of Culture, while the competition days will run from June 15 to 17. President Iliana Iotova will be the championships' patron. Championship ambassadors are two of Bulgaria’s most celebrated athletes - Karlos Nasar, an Olympic, world and European weightlifting champion, and Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov. Olympic silver medallists Krasimir Dunev and Boryana Kaleyn are the faces of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics at the event. Sport Iva Krasteva Veneta Litkova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1140129-vesela-lecheva-registered-as-bulgarian-olympic-committee-president-after-year-lo https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1140129-vesela-lecheva-registered-as-bulgarian-olympic-committee-president-after-year-lo Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:29:26 +0300 Vesela Lecheva was registered in the Commercial Register as President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) on Thursday, her legal team said. During the BOC Elective General Assembly on March 19, 2025, a new leadership team headed by Lecheva was elected but had not yet been registered due to court appeals. On May 17, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it had provisionally recognized the results of the Elective General Assembly, confirming that Lecheva and her team were the only individuals authorised to represent the BOC before the IOC, within the Olympic Movement and at all IOC-recognised events and Games. The formal procedure was completed after all lawsuits against the Assembly’s decisions were either dismissed or withdrawn. This brought a definitive end to the legal saga involving the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, which had lasted for more than a year. It led to the suspension of funding from the IOC and the Sports Ministry, as well as a serious institutional and reputational crisis for the 100-year-old non-governmental organization. “This crisis lasted a long time, but the new leadership never stopped working, not even for a moment, despite the difficult circumstances in which it had to operate. During these months, we received unprecedented public support, which was our greatest motivation to continue standing up for truth, justice and fair play. The past year also brought us great joy through our Olympic heroes and all the young sporting stars who are building a new Bulgaria,” Lecheva said. The BOC President also outlined the first steps facing the new leadership - holding a meeting of the Executive Bureau, reviewing the financial situation of the Olympic headquarters, and adopting a budget and programmes. “We are inheriting a difficult situation, which we will first share with the members of our organization and then with the wider public. We will adhere to the principles of transparent and good governance, the commitment on which we earned the trust of our sporting family a year ago,” Lecheva added. Sport Momchil Rusev https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1139740-volleyball-coach-blengini-names-bulgaria-squad-for-opening-week-of-nations-leagu https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1139740-volleyball-coach-blengini-names-bulgaria-squad-for-opening-week-of-nations-leagu Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:48:35 +0300 Bulgaria men's national volleyball team head coach Gianlorenzo Blengini has announced the squad he will rely on for the opening week of the Volleyball Nations League, which will be held in Brazil. The Bulgarian team, the reigning world silver medallists, will begin their campaign on June 10 against Belgium at 7:00 p.m. Bulgarian time. The national side will then play three more matches during the opening tournament of the competition. Bulgaria's schedule for the first week of the tournament: June 10, 7:00 p.m. – Bulgaria vs Belgium June 11, 10:30 p.m. – Bulgaria vs Iran June 13, 9:30 p.m. – Bulgaria vs Argentina June 14, 8:30 p.m. – Bulgaria vs Serbia Bulgaria squad: Setters: Simeon Nikolov, Stoil Palev Opposite: Venislav Antov Outside Hitters: Aleksandar Nikolov, Asparuh Asparuhov, Denislav Burdarov, Martin Atanasov, Jasmin Velichkov Middle Blockers: Aleks Grozdanov, Boris Nachev, Iliya Petkov, Preslav Petkov Liberos: Damyan Kolev, Rusi Zhelev Sport Konstantin Karagyozov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1138939-tourism-ministry-honours-employee-who-reached-mount-everest-s-summit https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1138939-tourism-ministry-honours-employee-who-reached-mount-everest-s-summit Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:40:45 +0300 Tourism Ministry employee Georgi Kolevichin was welcomed by his colleagues on Tuesday following his successful ascent of Mount Everest, the Ministry said. In recognition of his achievement, Tourism Minister Ilin Dimitrov presented Kolevichin with a certificate of honour and an icon of St George. The Ministry described the climb of the world’s highest peak as "a source of pride not only for the institution but also for Bulgaria as a tourist destination, which Kolevichin has promoted during his expeditions." "This is a success for all of us. Everywhere I go, I speak about Bulgaria, its nature, and the opportunities it offers for tourism. I aimed to be a worthy ambassador for our country,” Kolevichin said. Speaking to his colleagues, the mountaineer shared details about the preparation and challenges involved in reaching Everest’s summit. He emphasized the importance of a lengthy acclimatization process, physical training, and specialized equipment, all of which are essential for such an expedition. With his successful ascent, Kolevichin joins the select group of 17 Bulgarians who have reached the summit of Mount Everest.  In the second half of May, the Tourism Ministry said that Kolevichin had successfully summited Mount Everest. Kolevichin's achievements also include reaching the summit of Makalu (8,485 m), the fifth-highest mountain on Earth, earlier in 2026, as well as climbing Manaslu (8,163 m) in 2025. In 2024, the Ministry recognized Kolevichin as an Ambassador for Destination Bulgaria after he successfully summited Lenin Peak (7,134 m). Sport Ekaterina Toteva Yoana Vodenicharova https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1138041-bulgaria-sends-17-athletes-at-2026-european-off-road-running-championships https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1138041-bulgaria-sends-17-athletes-at-2026-european-off-road-running-championships Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:21:00 +0300 Bulgaria will be represented by 17 athletes at the 2026 European Off-Road Running Championships, which will take place in Ljubljana–Kamnik, Slovenia, from June 5 to 7, the Bulgarian Athletics Federation announced. The national team includes Bulgaria’s top mountain runners at the moment. Kostadin Kisov will be team leader. Coaches Nedyalko Borukov, Ivan Mihaylov, Yolo Nikolov, and Atanas Dimitrov will also travel to Slovenia. Bulgaria's Team for the 2026 European Mountain Running Championships: U-20 MenAleksandar Pedev – Uphill & Downhill (5.7 km – June 7), Uphill (3.8 km – June 5)Viktor Petkov – Uphill & Downhill (5.7 km – June 7), Uphill (3.8 km – June 5)Stilian Aleksandrov – Uphill & Downhill (5.7 km – June 7), Uphill (3.8 km – June 5)Atila Rasim – Uphill & Downhill (5.7 km – June 7), Uphill (3.8 km – June 5)U-20 WomenSimona Gocheva – Uphill & Downhill (5.7 km – June 7), Uphill (3.8 km – June 5)Yoana Yordanova – Uphill & Downhill (5.7 km – June 7), Uphill (3.8 km – June 5)WomenAnika Atanasova – Uphill & Downhill (13.1 km – June 7), Uphill (8.9 km – June 5)Silviya Georgieva – Uphill & Downhill (13.1 km – June 7), Uphill (8.9 km – June 5)Byulserin Suleyman – Uphill & Downhill (13.1 km – June 7), Uphill (8.9 km – June 5)Marinela Nineva – Uphill & Downhill (13.1 km – June 7), Uphill (8.9 km – June 5)Men (Trail Race – 52 km, June 6)Miroslav SpasovYordan TodorovGeorgi ZhekovTencho ZhekovWomen (Trail Race – 52 km, June 6)Nadezhda AngelovaMilitsa MirchevaMaria Nikolova Sport Dimitar Velyov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1137701-foreign-ministry-issues-travel-advisory-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1137701-foreign-ministry-issues-travel-advisory-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:02:46 +0300 The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on Monday issued recommendations to Bulgarian citizens planning trips to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the three countries from June 11 to July 19. Travellers are advised to familiarize themselves in advance with border control procedures and entry requirements for the respective countries, and with security measures and transport arrangements in the host cities of the football matches. Given the expected large number of visitors, the Foreign Ministry recommends that travel and accommodation be planned and organized in good time, and that travellers follow the instructions of local authorities and the organizers of the respective sporting events. World Valentin Evstatiev Nikolay Trifonov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1137576-gold-and-bronze-for-bulgaria-at-sarajevo-european-judo-cup https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1137576-gold-and-bronze-for-bulgaria-at-sarajevo-european-judo-cup Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:17:21 +0300 Bulgarian judo wrestlers earned one gold and one bronze medals at the Sarajevo Senior European Cup 2026, which was held in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina between May 30 and 31, the Bulgarian Judo Federation said. Lyuboslav Grigorov claimed first place in the 60 kg category after three victories. In his opening bout, he overcame the Netherlands' Kayra Uyar after three penalties, then defeated Janson Wong, also of the Netherlands. In the final, he prevailed over Turkiye’s Emirhan Karahan, again after three penalties, with the match decided in golden score after 7:47 minutes. For Grigorov, this is his first gold medal at a competition of this level. In the same weight category, Ivan Simeonov won the bronze. In the contest for third place, the Bulgarian defeated Hungary's Adam Vikol. Earlier in the tournament, he claimed one win, and incurred one loss to finalist Karahan. In the 73 kg category, Bulgaria's Denislav Ivanov finished seventh. A total of 249 entrants from 21 countries took part in the tournament. Sport Valentin Evstatiev Hristo Boninski https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1137470-rhythmic-gymnast-nikolova-leads-bulgaria-to-eight-medals-at-european-championshi https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1137470-rhythmic-gymnast-nikolova-leads-bulgaria-to-eight-medals-at-european-championshi Sun, 31 May 2026 22:10:30 +0300 Rhythmic gymnast Stiliyana Nikolova led Bulgaria’s strong showing at the 2026 European Championships in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Varna, winning five medals and helping the national team finish with eight overall, four gold and four silver. Nikolova won gold in clubs, silver in ball, silver in ribbon and silver in the individual all-around, and was also part of Bulgaria’s team title in the senior competition. Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation President Iliana Raeva said Nikolova had delivered a standout performance in a highly competitive field. “Nikolova’s one gold and two silver medals on Sunday are a superb achievement in such a strong field. I even count one of the silvers as gold because she matched Darja Varfolomeev’s score. It was a truly excellent competition,” Raeva told Bulgarian media. Nikolova won the clubs final with 29.750 points, retaining her European title on the apparatus for a second consecutive year. Maria Borisova of Russia placed second with 29.200 points, while Daniela Munits of Israel was third, also with 29.200. Nikolova also took silver in the ribbon final with 28.750 points. Germany’s Darja Varfolomeev won the title with 30.000 points, while Borisova was third with 28.400. Eva Brezalieva, the other Bulgarian finalist, placed sixth with 27.000 points. Earlier on Sunday, Nikolova won silver in the ball final with 29.550 points. Varfolomeev also scored 29.550 but took the gold on the strength of a higher artistry score. Sofia Ilteryakova was third with 28.850. Brezalieva finished eighth after major mistakes in her routine. In the hoop final, both Bulgarian gymnasts missed the medals after errors. Brezalieva placed seventh and Nikolova eighth. Ilteryakova won the European title, ahead of Alina Harnasko and Sofia Raffaeli. Nikolova had already won silver in the individual all-around with 118.750 points, after scoring 30.550 with hoop, 29.100 with ball, 30.050 with clubs and 29.050 with ribbon. Varfolomeev won the all-around title with 120.150 points, while defending champion Taisiya Onofriychuk of Ukraine took bronze with 117.150. The all-around medal was Nikolova’s third consecutive podium finish at the European Championships. She won gold in Budapest in 2024 and silver in Tallinn in 2025. Nikolova said her tears during the medal ceremony after the clubs final came from joy as the national anthem was played. “It was simply joy that I could not hide. The emotions just came out. I am very happy, especially about the clubs title,” Nikolova said. Raeva said she was satisfied with the Bulgarian team’s overall performance. “We have eight medals, four gold and four silver. There is no way I could be unhappy. Competition in rhythmic gymnastics is extremely strong now. Everyone is working hard and everyone is very good. That makes the sport even more valuable,” Raeva said. Sport Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1137407-rhythmic-gymnastics-federation-president-raeva-nikolova-shines-in-varna-with-go https://www.bta.bg/en/news/sport/1137407-rhythmic-gymnastics-federation-president-raeva-nikolova-shines-in-varna-with-go Sun, 31 May 2026 18:40:49 +0300 Stiliyana Nikolova delivered a standout performance at the European Championships in Varna, Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation President Iliana Raeva said on Sunday. Nikolova won one gold and two silver medals in a highly competitive field. “Nikolova’s one gold and two silver medals on Sunday are a superb achievement in such a strong field. I even count one of the silvers as gold because she matched Darja Varfolomeev’s score. It was a truly excellent competition,” Raeva told Bulgarian media. Raeva said she was pleased with Nikolova’s progress and consistency. “I am very happy because Nikolova is showing remarkable growth as a gymnast. She is focused, controls her routines and stays in command. That gives me great satisfaction,” Raeva said. Raeva also commented on Eva Brezalieva, who missed the medals in the finals. “I feel sorry for Brezalieva because she works extremely hard and was very consistent in qualification. Unfortunately, her concentration and mindset slipped in the finals. I hope this will be a useful lesson for the future,” Raeva said. Raeva said the upcoming World Championships would be even more important because they will serve as a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. “It will be very tough, both in the individual and group events. The competition is extremely strong. We must not make mistakes. If we perform cleanly, nobody can beat us,” Raeva said. Raeva said success would depend on overall physical, technical and psychological preparation. “I hope we will be as well prepared as possible, in excellent condition, with the confidence and self-belief of great athletes, so that we can achieve our goals. In the group event, the inconsistency is mostly down to the psychological state of some gymnasts at a given moment, not a lack of preparation. They are very well prepared,” Raeva said. Raeva said she was satisfied with the Bulgarian team’s overall performance. “We have eight medals, four gold and four silver. There is no way I could be unhappy. Competition in rhythmic gymnastics is extremely strong now. Everyone is working hard and everyone is very good. That makes the sport even more valuable,” Raeva said. Raeva also addressed the return of strong rivals Russia and Belarus to the international stage. “The presence of Russia and Belarus made the competition even stronger. It did not change us. On the contrary, it is good for the sport,” Raeva said. Raeva thanked the hosts and organizers. “The organization was perfect. Thank you to Varna, Varna Municipality, the Palace of Culture and Sports, and all the companies and people who helped. The guests, judges and teams were delighted with the conditions. Organization like this deserves high praise,” Raeva said. Sport Kaloyan Kirilov https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1137385-run2gether-draws-over-5-000-participants-for-equal-opportunities https://www.bta.bg/en/news/culture/1137385-run2gether-draws-over-5-000-participants-for-equal-opportunities Sun, 31 May 2026 17:32:23 +0300 More than 5,000 people supported this year’s run Run2Gether 2026, held in Sofia on May 30, organizers said on Sunday. The event drew 3,000 participants on site and nearly 2,000 virtual runners from other Bulgarian cities. The Social Future Foundation launched the largest charity sports event, held for the ninth consecutive year. The event set another record, drawing 42 corporate teams, including two with 250 and 150 participants, respectively. Sports journalist Iliya Iliev, again an ambassador for the initiative, hosted the official segment, with sign language interpretation provided by Slavina Lozanova and Tanya Dimitrova. Official guests included representatives of the Sofia, European Capital of Sport Foundation: Executive Director Damyan Dikov, Organization Secretary Anatoli Iliev, and Management Board members Dimitar Petrov and Hristo Koparanov. The event was backed by ambassadors from the arts, sports, entertainment and media, including Yana Marinova, Ivaylo Zahariev, Zlatka Dimitrova, Bilyana Yotovska, Emil Milkov, Preya, Georgi Malchev and many others. Blind runner and inspirational figure Viktor Asenov also served as an ambassador. Several teams also joined as ambassadors, including ParaKids, which gives people with disabilities equal access to sports, the Sofia-Balkan wheelchair basketball team, and others from across the country. “We are happy that, since the first event, when there were about 500 of us, we have grown so much. It shows that, despite the difficulties, this run is attracting more and more supporters committed to its goal: greater equality and an easier life for people with disabilities in Bulgaria,” said Yoana Koleva, director of Social Future Foundation. Koleva thanked all sponsors and partners of the run, as well as the organizing team from Social Future Foundation, JAMBA, and Sofia – European Capital of Sport Foundation. The run started at St Alexander Nevsky Square. The five-kilometre course comprised two 2.5 km laps and finished at the starting point. All participants received medals, but the run has not been competitive since its first edition. Under the rules, each participant with a disability or other challenge chooses a runner to accompany them, running or walking the course to the finish. Due to strong interest, parents with prams started separately. Shortly before the start, Zlatka Dimitrova and Bilyana Yotovska led a warm-up. All proceeds from the event go to the JAMBA Career Centre, Hub of Opportunities, where young people with disabilities learn skills to help them enter the labour market. Over the past year, dozens of group and individual training sessions for people with disabilities were held there free of charge. Many participants also found new employers. The run fell on World MS Day, launched by the MS International Federation to raise awareness of people with multiple sclerosis, their needs and ways to improve access to treatment and social inclusion. The date is also marked as World Schizophrenia Day, which raises public awareness of people living with mental illness and how they can be fully supported. The event is part of European Diversity Month. Social Future Foundation is a public-benefit non-governmental organization. Its main goal is to support young people with disabilities in training, career guidance and labour market integration in Bulgaria. In September 2017, the foundation and its JAMBA cause launched a partnership with the Thai organization Klongdinsor Co., founded by Chatchai Aphibanpoonpon, organizer of the successful charity mini-marathon Run2gether. Since 2018, the run has also been held in Sofia and has set a positive example for many other sports events in the country. Culture Kaloyan Kirilov