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

Bulgaria welcomes home Olympic wrestling champions Semen Novikov and Magomed Ramazanov

Photo: BTA

Olympic wrestling champions Semen Novikov and Magomed Ramazanov were solemnly welcomed at Sofia Airport with folklore dances, bagpipes and laurel wreaths. "I felt the support of every Bulgarian. My next goal is the world title. I became European champion, now Olympic champion, I need a full set". This was what Semen Novikov, a naturalized Bulgarian born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, said upon his return from Paris, where he won a gold medal in the category of up to 87 kilograms in Greco-Roman style. He thanked Bulgarian businessman and sponsor of Bulgarian wrestling, Grisha Ganchev, for giving him a second chance in sports, as well as his personal trainer Soslan Farniev, who "believed in me and raised my level".

"I thank Bulgaria for giving me a chance. The last few years were very difficult and it was not known if I would be able to continue competing. Bulgaria is my second homeland. When I finish my sports career, I will help Bulgaria by passing on my experience, I hope to be useful to the country. There are many talented people here". This was what gold medalist from Paris in freestyle wrestling, Magomed Ramazanov, who is also a naturalized Bulgarian, originally from Dagestan, said. In Paris, he won the final with 7:1 points in the 86 kg category against legendary Iranian wrestler Hassan Yazdani Charati.

Bulgaria finished the Paris Olympics with three gold, one silver and three bronze medals, taking 26th place in the overall medal standings.




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

Denitsa Manolova

Bulgaria's Denitsa Manolova enters top 5 of European U20 Women's Basketball Championship

Denitsa Manolova received well-deserved recognition for her strong performance at the European U20 Women's Basketball Championship , Division "B", which was held in Hungary. The player from the team of Rislki Sportist found a place in the "Perfect Five"..

published on 8/11/25 6:10 PM

Hristiyan Kasabov wins silver in the 110 meters hurdles at the European Athletics U20 Championships

17-year-old Hristiyan Kasabov won a silver medal in the 110 meters hurdles at the Tampere 2025 European Athletics U20 Championships. In the final, the Bulgarian placed second with another national record in his age group - 13.31..

published on 8/11/25 10:03 AM
Team of Arda (Kardzhali)

Arda FC wins its first success on foreign soil in Europe, Levski wins in the 98th minute

The football club “Arda” based in Kardzhali won 1:0 as a guest against Kauno Zalgiris in the first match of the third qualifying round in the Conference League. This is the first success on foreign soil in the history of the Bulgarian team in European..

published on 8/8/25 8:28 AM