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

Grigor Dimitrov reaches the quarterfinals of the Miami Open

Grigor Dimitrov will play in the quarterfinals of the Miami tennis tournament with a prize fund of 11.25 million dollars. He secured a place among the top eight by winning 6-4, 7-5 against American Brandon Nakashima. For the..

published on 3/26/25 8:30 AM

Basketball player Aleksandar Vezenkov is the top scorer in Greece for the season

The best Bulgarian basketball player Aleksandar Vezenkov is the top scorer of the regular season in the Greek championship for the second time in his career. The Olympiacos player finished the first stage of the championship with..

published on 3/25/25 1:50 PM
Grigor Dimitrov

Grigor Dimitrov tops Russia's Karen Khachanov at tennis tournament in Miami after comeback

Grigor Dimitrov has qualified for the fourth round of the Masters tennis tournament in Miami (USA). Bulgaria's best tennis player had a hard time in the hard court tournament after a 6:7 (3), 6:4, 7:5 comeback against Russian Karen Khachanov in more..

published on 3/24/25 9:31 AM