2024-02-13 11:30:11
“Bulgaria has already set a record”. This was stated by the president of the European Weightlifting Federation, Antonio Confliti, during the official opening of the European Weightlifting Championship, which Arena Sofia is hosting.
“Bulgaria has 12 Olympic weightlifting champions. Bulgaria is a country with traditions in weightlifting. And we are very happy to return here after 19 years, because Bulgaria is our home. Thank you so much for your hospitality and the great work you have done. Because Bulgaria has already set a record! Just 2 days ago there was a big concert here. And in 24 hours we already have this fantastic and excellently arranged and organized hall, which in the coming days will receive our competitors”, said the president of the European Weightlifting Federation, who opened the championship. He also emphasized that the championship is extremely important because is also an Olympic qualification.
“I am extremely proud, as the president of the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation, that 15 years later Bulgaria is once again hosting the European Championship in this sport. Bulgaria has a very long tradition in weightlifting, unfortunately, in recent years we have lost focus and the sport has been left in the background. We welcome over 400 participants from Europe as well as our guests from the USA, thank you to everyone who is here. Thank you to all the people who worked so hard so that we can now start the European Championship, which is also a qualification for the Olympic Games. Thanks to all the competitors and their teams who will do everything to make this sporting event spectacular. Thank you to our sponsors who trusted us and stood behind us in this endeavor. To all the athletes and especially to the Bulgarian team, I wish success, I wish many medals won, and above all a pleasant 10 days to enjoy this wonderful sport”, said the president of the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation, Arif Majid .
The Minister of Youth and Sports Dimitar Iliev took part in the official opening. He highlighted the great Bulgarian traditions in weightlifting and wished all the participants success, as well as his belief that the most prepared will leave Sofia as winners.
Among the official guests at the ceremony were Nebie Kabak – Chairman of the Committee on Children, Youth and Sports in the National Assembly, Land Minister-Minister of Sports Daniela Dasheva and the rector of the National Academy of Sciences Krasimir Petkov.
Bulgaria won its first medal of the championship – bronze for Nadezhda May-Nguyen in the throwing category up to 45 kg. May-Nguyen was third at 69kg after the first movement, but only recorded one successful attempt in the push (80kg), denying her a chance to medal in the event and leaving her fifth.
“I am happy with the medal, but also with my overall performance. Even after my first attempt at throwing, I was sure that I would get a medal, but pushing is not my thing in general. Apparently, I need to emphasize this movement more in training,” said Nadezhda after the final.
The other Bulgarian in the category – 16-year-old Boyana Kostadinova – made three unsuccessful attempts in the throw, and recorded 80 kilograms in the push-up.
On Tuesday (February 13) at 14:00 in the battle for honors in cat. Angel Rusev and Dzhan Zarkov enter up to 55 kg. From 20:00 in cat. up to 61 kg for men, Ivan Dimov and Gabriel Marinov will lift for Bulgaria.
On February 14, at 8 p.m., the battle for the medals in the men’s 67 kg category began with the participation of Valentin Genchev and Dian Pamporjiev.
On February 15 at 5 pm is the competition for the European title in the category up to 64 kg for women with the participation of Galya Shatova. At 20:00, the battle for the medals in the men’s category up to 73 kg starts, in which Bozhidar Andreev will participate.
On February 16, at 10 a.m., in the women’s category up to 71 kg (Grepa S), Maria-Alexandra Arnaudova will lift.
Sofia Garcia Stefanova will compete in the women’s category up to 76 kg on February 17 at 10 a.m. From 17:00, the fight for the European title in the men’s 89 kg category starts with the participation of Carlos Nassar.
On February 19, at 2 p.m., Vasil Marinov will compete for medals in the men’s 102 kg category. From 17:00 the battle for the title in the men’s category up to 109 kg starts with the participation of Hristo Hristov.
On February 20, at 1 p.m., the competition in the category over 87 kg for women will take place with the participation of Jessica Ivanova.