Radio Bulgaria

Bulgarian boxer Kubrat Pulev has defended his IBF intercontinental title after a victory against Michael Sprott from the UK. Pulev won with a technical knockout in the 10 round of the match that was played in Offenburg, Germany. The Bulgarian expected to face US boxer Morris Harris and Ukrainian Taras Bydenko but due to injuries they could not compete. This way the Bulgarian faced Michael Sprott. As professional boxer Kubrat Pulev has 15 wins, 7 of them with knockouts and no losses.

Bulgarian gymnast Yordan Yovchev has become the only gymnast in the history of sport to qualify for the 6th time for participation in Olympic games. 39-year-old Yovchev placed among the top 30 in the last Olympic qualification. The legendary athlete suffered for a shoulder injury but this did not stop him to participate and show he has the right to compete in London this summer. Among the women Ralitsa Mileva placed 16th and also won an Olympic quota. This will be her first Olympic participation.

The first round of the Australian Open tournament part of the Grand Slam has started in Melbourn. In the first round of the competition Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov won 3:2 against Jérémy Chardy from France. Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova won 6:4, 6:2 against Indian player Sanya Mirza.

Kaloyan Mahlyanov - Kotooshu has achieved his 7th victory at the January Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. In the 8th round odzeki Kotooshu won against Toyonoshima. This way the Bulgarian currently 3rd with 7 victories and one loss. Hakuho and Baruto are at the top of the chart with 8 victories each. In the 9th round Kotooshu will face Harumafuji.

Krassimir Anev finished 16th in 20 km start of the world biathlon championship in Nove mesto, the Czech republic. Anev missed just one target and finished for 50:11:6 minutes. Winner in the competition became Andrey Makoveev (Russia), followed by the current leader in the World Cup Emil Hegle Svendsen from Norway and Swedish Bjorn Ferry.

The volleyball players of CSKA lost 1:3 against the Greek team of Iraklis Tessaloniki in a match of the 5th round of the Champions league. This was the fifth loss of the Bulgarian team in the tournament.

English: Alexander Markov