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

First Olympic gold for Bulgaria from Paris 2024

Semen Novikov outperforms his opponent
Photo: BGNES

Bulgaria has its first Olympic champion from the Olympic Games in Paris. Wrestler Semen Novikov won the final against Iranian opponent Alireza Mohmadipiani in men’s 87kg Greco-Roman style. 

Mohmadipiani is the world vice-champion in the category of up to 87 kg in Greco-Roman style. However, Novikov won with a decisive result of 7:0.


The previous Olympic title for Bulgaria in men's wrestling was brought by Armen Nazaryan 24 years ago from Sydney.

Semen Sergeevich Novikov was born in Kharkiv and until 2022 competed for Ukraine. In 2020, he became the European champion up to 87 kilograms, and at the World Championships in Belgrade in 2023, he won a bronze medal in the same category.

On August 8, 2024, he won a gold medal for Bulgaria in the category of up to 87 kilograms at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Photos: EPA/BGNES



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

Four wins and one draw for Bulgarian players at European Women's Chess Championship

The second round of the European Women's Chess Championship on the island of Rhodes proved to be extremely successful for the Bulgarian competitors. Viktoria Radeva won against Slovakian Andrea Bochnickova with the white..

published on 4/2/25 10:16 AM
Stiliana Nikolova

Bulgaria wins 16 medals at Sofia Cup

Bulgarian rhythmic gymnasts won a total of 16 medals (11 gold and 5 silver) at the Sofia Cup, which was a rehearsal for the World Cup this week in the capital city. In the finals on the last day of the competition, the..

published on 3/31/25 8:52 AM

Bulgarian Football Union is organizing family circle in the football championship

The Bulgarian Football Union officially is launching the campaign “With Margaritka at the match” today. The “Margaritka” Foundation is a Bulgarian organization that works for better upbringing and the development of useful habits in the youngest..

published on 3/31/25 5:15 AM