IN the first week of April, Sofia hosted two international sports events - the 42nd annual Dan Kolov International Free Style Wrestling Tournament and the tennis match between Bulgaria and Ukraine of the first round in the Davies Cup Second Group of the Euro-African zone (unofficial men's world championship).
Bulgarians won three men's titles and one women's title in the tournament for the Golden Belt of the legendary Bulgarian wrestler from the beginning of the twentieth century - Dan Kolov. Krassimir Kochev, competing for Bulgaria, won the great award, which in its value could be compared to a European title.
This year, the very popular tournament saw the participation of 104 athletes: 77 men from nine countries and 27 women from five countries. On the way to the title in the category of up to 96 kg, Kochev defeated several very strong Turkish and Iranian wrestlers. Two more Bulgarians won their categories - Serafim Burzakov (up to 66 kg) and Arkadii Tsopa (up to 84 kg). Stanka Zlateva became the best Bulgarian female competitor and was awarded a special crown. On her way to victory, in the category of up to 72 kg, Zlateva did not allow her opponents to win a single point.
The week was good also for Bulgarian tennis. In a match of the first round of the Davies Cup, Bulgaria beat Ukraine with three wins to two. The match developed dramatically, and before the last round, the result was 2:2. In the decisive final duel, Ivailo Traikov (Bulgaria) defeated Andrii Stepanov (Ukraine) 3:0 sets and qualified Bulgaria for the second round, where the country will meet Serbia-Montenegro. The match will be in Belgrade from July 11 to 13. The winner of the second round will play in the third phase, where it will meet Greece or Ireland.
Bulgarians have so far lost twice in two meeting against Serbia. In 1975, the host team of the former Yugoslavia won 4:1, and in 1985 the win was more decisive - 5:0 in Sofia.
The match with the Ukrainians was the second for the Bulgarian team after their success, 3:2, last year in Odessa.
Bulgarians won three men's titles and one women's title in the tournament for the Golden Belt of the legendary Bulgarian wrestler from the beginning of the twentieth century - Dan Kolov. Krassimir Kochev, competing for Bulgaria, won the great award, which in its value could be compared to a European title.
This year, the very popular tournament saw the participation of 104 athletes: 77 men from nine countries and 27 women from five countries. On the way to the title in the category of up to 96 kg, Kochev defeated several very strong Turkish and Iranian wrestlers. Two more Bulgarians won their categories - Serafim Burzakov (up to 66 kg) and Arkadii Tsopa (up to 84 kg). Stanka Zlateva became the best Bulgarian female competitor and was awarded a special crown. On her way to victory, in the category of up to 72 kg, Zlateva did not allow her opponents to win a single point.
The week was good also for Bulgarian tennis. In a match of the first round of the Davies Cup, Bulgaria beat Ukraine with three wins to two. The match developed dramatically, and before the last round, the result was 2:2. In the decisive final duel, Ivailo Traikov (Bulgaria) defeated Andrii Stepanov (Ukraine) 3:0 sets and qualified Bulgaria for the second round, where the country will meet Serbia-Montenegro. The match will be in Belgrade from July 11 to 13. The winner of the second round will play in the third phase, where it will meet Greece or Ireland.
Bulgarians have so far lost twice in two meeting against Serbia. In 1975, the host team of the former Yugoslavia won 4:1, and in 1985 the win was more decisive - 5:0 in Sofia.
The match with the Ukrainians was the second for the Bulgarian team after their success, 3:2, last year in Odessa.
