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

There is a parliamentary majority to form a coalition government

The parliamentary group "Democracy, Rights and Freedoms" - DPS will support a government of GERB-СDS, BSP-United Left and ITN in its vote in the National Assembly as part of the formation of a parliamentary majority.  Negotiations for forming a..

published on 1/15/25 9:53 AM

Bulgarian Consulate in Los Angeles issues recommendations to Bulgarians affected by the devastating fires

The Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles has issued recommendations to Bulgarians affected by the devastating fires in the city. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering assistance to those affected by the fires in California..

published on 1/15/25 9:43 AM

Bulgarian satellite Balkan-1 has been launched into space from base in USA

The Bulgarian satellite Balkan-1 has been launched into Earth orbit to transmit data for the EU's Copernicus programme . The satellite is a development of the Bulgarian company EnduroSat and was launched into space from the Vandenberg Space Force..

published on 1/15/25 8:40 AM