Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Rio 2016: Bulgaria’s Olympic hopefuls

БНР Новини
Photo: EPA/BGNES

The Olympic Games opened in Rio de Janeiro with a dazzling ceremony and will be riveting the attention of the world until August 21. What are Bulgaria’s chances of success and in which sports?

Rhythmic gymnastics: The Bulgarian gymnasts have been world champions and have several gold medals to their names, reaching the top three in practically all competitions they have taken part in. The hopes here are for an Olympic title.

Shooting sports: 30-year old Antoaneta Boneva will be competing in the 25-meter pistol and the 10-meter air pistol. Boneva had a successful Olympic cycle and the hopes are she will win a medal.  

Boxing: Stanimira Petrova is the current world champion in the 54 kg. weight class; at the Olympics in Rio she will be competing in the 51 kg. weight class.

Judo: Ivaylo Ivanov is one of two Bulgarian contestants in Rio. This year he won the European bronze and has been in the top three at different championships, including first place in Turkey.

Wrestling: In this sport Bulgaria’s hopes of winning medals are, by a tradition, highest. Eleven Bulgarian wrestlers are taking part, most of them with the ambition to win, with Daniel Alexandrov and Borislav Novachkov standing the best chance of victory.

High jump: Mirela Demireva won the silver in the Diamond League on the eve of the Rio Olympics and has a string of good results throughout the year.

Tennis: Grigor Dimitrov and Tsvetana Pironkova are Bulgaria’s tennis contestants. Dimitrov’s first match is today, versus Marin Cilic, Croatia.

Badminton: Linda Zechiri and the Stoevi sisters are formidable badminton players in Europe but their chances of winning medals are minimal, as the contestants from Asia will be a serious challenge to them. 




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

TENNIS: Grigor Dimitrov through to Stockholm semi-final

Grigor Dimitrov has reached the semi-finals of the hard-court tournament in Stockholm, beating Switzerland's Dominic Stricker 6-3, 6-2. The Bulgarian will play Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor, who beat Holger Rune of Denmark, for a place in..

published on 10/19/24 11:53 AM

Gymnast Kamelia Dunavska gathers rhythmic gymnastics champions for international tournament in Samokov

World and European champion Kamelia Dunavska organised in the town of Samokov an international rhythmic gymnastics tournament called "The Golden Girls... Forever". The competition starts today and will last until Sunday. Almost 500 young athletes..

published on 10/18/24 8:15 AM

Northern Ireland stuns Bulgaria with 5:0 win in UEFA Nations League

The Bulgarian national team suffered a heavy loss against Northern Ireland in the UEFA Nations League. The Bulgarians lost 5:0 against the hosts after a hat trick by Isaac Price, a goal by Josh Magennis and an own goal by goalkeeper..

published on 10/16/24 10:54 AM