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

Rules for participation of foreigners in Bulgarian wrestling clubs tightened

Stanka Zlateva
Photo: BTA

The executive committee of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation has made the decision that at championships, tournaments and camps communication inside the national team shall take place in the official language of the country – Bulgarian. In March, Bulgaria’s most successful female wrestler Stanka Zlateva took over as head of the federation’s executive committee.

“All official statements, including statements for the media will be in the Bulgarian language and will only express an attitude to the Republic of Bulgaria, the official institutions of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation, including the symbols of the Republic of Bulgaria – coat of arms, flag, and anthem,” the decision reads. Up to three foreigners will be allowed in the club for 2026, including naturalized citizens, but not more than two in a given style.

In January, a number of clubs boycotted the national Greco-Roman style wrestling championship, alleging that naturalized wrestlers were being tolerated in Bulgaria. In fact, the last two Bulgarian Olympic wrestling champions- Magomed Ramazanov (freestyle) and Semen Novikov (Greco-Roman) are naturalized citizens. Coach of Bulgaria’s national team (Greco-Roman) is Russian - Soslan Farniev - and for this reason the language spoken within the team is usually Russian.



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

Ludogorets Razgrad loses 2–3 to Young Boys in Europa League

Bulgarian football champion Ludogorets Razgrad lost 2–3 to Young Boys in an away match from the third round of the Europa League group stage. Petar Stanić gave Ludogorets the lead in the 26th minute. The hosts equalized in the final minute of the..

published on 10/24/25 9:40 AM

Malena Zamfirova wins Virtual Snowboard Alpine World Cup

Snowboarder Malena Zamfirova, who recently won the award for best young athlete in Europe, has received yet another international recognition, BGNES reports. With the votes of alpine snowboard fans from all over the world, the..

published on 10/20/25 3:28 PM

Bulgarian sailors win the title in the IRC2 division at the Bonifacio IRC European Championship 2025

The Bulgarian crew of the yacht "Ivana & Alex" won the title in the IRC2 division at the Bonifacio IRC European Championship 2025 in Corsica, held between October 7 and 12. This is Bulgaria’s first European title and a historic achievement for..

published on 10/15/25 11:08 AM