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

Isabella Shinikova

Isabella Shinikova is in the final of a tennis tournament in Egypt

Bulgaria's Isabella Shinikova has qualified for the singles final of the hard court tennis tournament in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt) with a prize fund of 15 thousand dollars. The number 1 seed Shinikova defeated the representative of the hosts..

published on 2/22/25 3:48 PM
Александра Тончева

Bulgarian MMA fighter Aleksandra Toncheva will fight for a title in Sweden

Professional MMA fighter Aleksandra Toncheva will fight for the title of the leading Swedish fighting organization "Battle of Botnia". Toncheva will face Nina Beck in the main event of the gala evening, which will be held on April 26 in Skelleftea,..

published on 2/20/25 5:26 PM

Rahim Rashaida wins world gold for Bulgaria in fencing

Competing against 180 athletes from 36 countries, Rahim Rashaida achieved a historic victory for Bulgarian fencing. Rashaida, who trains at the National Sports Academy Fencing Club under coach Dimitar Nikolov, secured first place at the World Junior..

published on 2/16/25 3:51 PM