Bulging in Bulgaria - IFBB World Report - Brief Article

The 2001 Bulgarian National Championships was one of the most impressive and hotly contested in recent memory. No less than 56 of Bulgaria's s finest men and women bodybuilders and fitness contestants convened in the capital city of Sofia for this annual muscle spectacular. The Bulgarian Bodybuilding Federation put together a great show, as any of the hundreds of attending fans can attest. The quality of the athletes, always impressive, seemed to take a quantum leap forward, a happy augur for the future of the sport in this Eastern European nation.

Judges had a difficult task separating winners from also-rans, so close were the competitors in terms of muscle mass, symmetry and stagecraft. However, each contest has its standout iron beast, and this time that designation was conferred upon Ivaylo Stoilov of Ruse, Bulgaria, the 90-kg and overall champion. His win was a capper to an impressive year that saw him also stomp the competition at tournaments in Burgas, Ruse and Cherven Bryag.

The women weren't slouches either, exhibiting a fierce combativeness that won the crowd's collective heart. The fitness competitors elicited no less passionate a response for their sinew and stylish efforts. All in all, a memorable contest for everyone concerned.

The various weight-class winners are presented here.

BULGARIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS


Men
Yavor Tonev         65 kg
lliyan Tonev        70 kg
Velislav Velev      75 kg
Vassil Lambov       80 kg
Ivaylo Stoilov      90 kg
 (and overall)
Ivaylo Ivanov       90+ kg
Zlatko Genev        Masters

Women
Maya Atanasova      52 kg
Eleonora Petkova    57 kg
Lubomira Stefcheva  57+ kg

Fitness
Reneta Shirvanyan   160 cm
Skarlet Derbal      167 cm

COPYRIGHT 2002 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group