Olympic champion Semen Novikov is considering retirement after being left off Bulgaria’s world championship roster for the second year, citing issues and pressure from the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation over training camp attendance rules.
Olympic gold medalist Semen Novikov, alongside European champion Kiril Milov and Edmond Nazaryan, has been excluded from the national team heading to the world championships in Kazakhstan this month (according to the source). For Novikov, who triumphed at the Paris 2024 Games, the repeated exclusions have brought his competitive future into sharp question.
Semen Novikov said, I am considering quitting. I don't think that if a wrestler misses two world championships he should stay. It's a nightmare because I'm young, healthy, and I can show good results,
according to bTV and DIR.
The Bulgarian Wrestling Federation maintains that participation in national team training camps is mandatory for any athlete seeking selection for major international competitions, including European and world championships as well as the Olympic Games (as stated by the federation’s official announcement).
Camp Rules Spark Clash Over CSKA Athletes
The federation’s management board adopted a decision requiring all national team contenders to take part in centralized training camps (the wrestling central body reported). According to the federation, CSKA wrestlers received nine separate invitations to join these training sessions but declined to attend (the outlet noted).
Athletes Voice Frustration Over Missing Selection
Kiril Milov joined Novikov in competing at the European championships earlier in the year—albeit without their personal coaches—and expressed deep dismay over missing out on the season’s premier global showcase (DIR reported).
Kiril Milov said, I don't think there is any athlete who is pleased to hear that they are not on the list for the world championship when they are preparing to step out at the biggest forum. For me, this is a very nasty thing,
via bTV and DIR.
Edmond Nazaryan echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the emotional toll that administrative battles take on competitors who dedicate their careers to representing the nation (the reporting outlet noted).
Edmond Nazaryan said, It hurts. Why does it have to be precisely us, who have dedicated ourselves to this sport and to Bulgaria. We do it from the heart, we put everything into it. We don't deserve this. This is sport, there should be no politics,
according to DIR.
Reduced Roster Set for Kazakhstan Tournaments
With the world championships in Kazakhstan approaching, Bulgaria will field a reduced team across styles. In classical wrestling, the entries feature Dimitar Georgiev, Stoyan Kubatov, and Aik Mnatsakanyan (Gong noted). The women’s division will see Bilyana Dudova compete in the 62-kilogram category, while freestyle efforts will rely on Olympic champion Magomed Ramazanov alongside five other representatives (according to preliminary tournament lists).
The national federation has scheduled a general assembly for October 17, where Todor Angelov and Miroslav Gochev are nominated for the presidency (Gong reported). International rules permit roster modifications up to three days before the official draw, leaving a narrow window for potential changes before the world championship kicks off on October 24 (as outlined by sports reporting outlets), following Novikov’s gold medal run at the Paris 2024 Games.