2024-08-17 13:16:55
Olympic champions Magomed Ramazanov and Semyon Novikov each received BGN 20,000 additional bonuses for the gold medals from the wrestling tournament at the Olympic Games in Paris, BF Borba reports.
Their awards were presented by one of the sponsors of the federation.
Ramazanov brought home a freestyle title after a 28-year hiatus, with the last Bulgarian champion being Valentin Yordanov from Atlanta 96. Novikov broke a 24-year drought without gold in the classics. Armen Nazaryan was the last champion in Sydney 2000.
Both legends were at the ceremony alongside current Olympic gold medalists.
“Valentin Yordanov has a similar fate to mine. As far as I know, he also wanted to give up sports at the age of 31, but he told himself that until he won the Olympic title, he wouldn’t do it. So he fought until he was 36. Bill is a very technical fighter, there are techniques that he does, and they are a weakness for me. I have watched his matches many times, although we are in different categories. He was in a lighter category and he could not do all the moves to apply to the heavier wrestlers. I admire him a lot. He always supports competitors. He has already won several medals. He has not missed to call him, to talk to him great respect for him. A legend!”, said Ramazanov, quoted by BF Borba.
“The last few days, the emotions are very pleasant. Everyone shows great respect and appreciates the achievement, but I don’t feel like a hero. Despite all the celebrations, I also managed to train, not because I have to, but because I want to and my body wants it. For Ukraine, I won a European title , I now want to do the same for Bulgaria, and then become world champion,” said Novikov.
The champions will be awarded BGN 250,000 each by the state.