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

Javier Ibanez secures first Olympic medal for Bulgaria from Paris 2024

Gymnast Valentina Georgieva finishes fifth in women’s vault

Photo: BTA

Boxer Javier Ibáñez qualified for the Olympic semi-finals in the category of up to 57 kg thus securing at least a bronze medal in Paris. Born in Cuba, but competing for Bulgaria, the European champion won against Japanese Shudai Harada with 5:0 judges' votes.

For a place in the final, Javier Ibáñez will face world bronze medallist Munarbek Seitbek Uulu of Kyrgyzstan, who prevailed with a 3-2 decision over Jahmal Harvey of the United States.

Gymnast Valentina Georgieva also performed well at the Olympic tournament and placed fifth in women’s vault. Thus, Bulgaria once again had an Olympic finalist among women after a 32-year hiatus.

The ranking is a huge success for the 18-year-old Olympic débutante also because it was achieved after a long absence due to a knee injury.

An interesting fact is that Valentina Georgieva repeated the achievement of her coach Filip Yanev, who finished in fifth place in the vault at the Athens Olympics in 2004.



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

Karlos Nasar

Unstoppable Karlos Nasar becomes world weightlifting champion for the third time, sets new record

Bulgaria's Olympic champion from Paris Karlos Nasar became the world champion in weightlifting for the third time . At the World Championships in Førde , Norway, he took gold in the clean and jerk movement with 222 kg, as well as in the combined..

published on 10/9/25 10:59 PM
Karlos Nasar

Karlos Nasar aims for gold in the men's 94-kg weight class at the World Weightlifting Championships

Olympic, world and European champion Karlos Nasar will take to the podium on Thursday at the World Weightlifting Championships in Forde, Norway, competing for gold in his new 94kg category. Victory would earn Nasar his third world title in three..

published on 10/9/25 5:49 PM

Sofia vies with Varna for hosting European volleyball championship

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev expressed the wish for the European volleyball championship in 2026 to take place in Sofia and not in Varna as planned. We confirm the invitation, along with the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, to host the European..

published on 10/9/25 10:24 AM