Bulgarian judoka Ivan Nikolchev was given a champion’s welcome by family members, friends and teammates at Sofia Airport on Thursday. The young talent won a bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar on November 2.
It is the first medal for Bulgarian men’s judo at an event of this kind. Previously, only Betina Temelkova had won a medal, taking silver at the 2014 Games.
Nikolchev received flowers and congratulations from the Bulgarian Judo Federation, presented by its Secretary General, Hristo Maev, and Sports Director, Spaska Ilieva.
Nikolchev won bronze in the 81 kg category, one weight class above his usual division. The CSKA Sofia competitor has had a highly successful season, becoming European cadet champion and finishing fifth at the World Cadet Championships.
The International Olympic Committee allocated a non-transferable quota place in this weight category, meaning Nikolchev had to move up a weight class to compete at the Games.
He was accompanied at the Olympic event by his coach, Gancho Doykov, and Bulgarian Judo Federation President Rumen Stoilov, who is also a Vice-President of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee.
This is the first medal won by the Bulgarian delegation at the Dakar Games so far.
Meanwhile, a new group of Bulgarian athletes left for Dakar on Thursday morning. It includes Atanas Ivanov, Zara Ilieva, Stilyan Orlinov and Vasil Antonov (athletics); Nikolay Stanchev and Dimitar Mitev (cycling); and Plamen Trunski and Andy Vladimirov (taekwondo).
Vasil Antonov (400 metres) and Stilyan Orlinov (long jump) will be the first to compete in athletics, on November 8. A day later, on November 9, Zara Ilieva will take part in the 3,000 metres, while the 400 metres final will also be held.
Dakar Youth Olympic Games Judo Bronze Medallist Welcomed in Sofia as New Group of Bulgarian Athletes Heads to Senegal THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-11-05 04:21:00
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BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-11-05 04:21:00
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