Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Rayko Petrov was the coach of Bulgaria's first Olympic wrestling champions

Rayko Petrov
Photo: bgolympic.org

Today we mark 10 years since the death of Prof. Rayko Petrov (1930-2011) - one of the greatest figures in the history of Bulgarian wrestling, who turned it into a world power. 

For 15 years Petrov was the coach of Bulgaria's national wrestling team and prepared Bulgaria's first Olympic and world champions in this sport. He was the head of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation from 1969 to 1990. 

As a coach he participated in 12 consecutive summer Olympic Games. He was part of the Executive Committee of the World Council for Science and Sport at UNESCO and vice-president of the International Wrestling Federation.

He is featured at the International Wrestling Hall of Fame in Oklahoma, USA. He won prestigious awards for the development of wrestling worldwide. 

His research in the field of sports has been translated into a number of languages, including French, English, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic and others.



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

Temperatures begin to rise over the weekend

On Saturday minimum temperatures will range between 15 and 23° C., for Sofia 15° C. During the day the weather will be predominantly sunny, cumulus clouds will form around and after midday. There will be rain and thunder mostly in the mountain..

published on 8/1/25 6:35 PM

Firefighting in Pirin continues

Firefighting continues in Pirin Mountain, BNR correspondent Keti Trencheva reports.  At a briefing, Commissioner Valentin Vassilev, regional director of the fire department in Blagoevgrad, pointed out that currently there is one serious front - above..

published on 8/1/25 6:27 PM

Southern Black Sea coast municipalities to attract tourists with a common product

Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh has met with mayors from the Black Sea municipalities and the regional governor of Burgas to outline a common strategy for advertising the southern part of the Black Sea coast and creating a common tourist..

published on 8/1/25 6:14 PM