Valentin Jordanov
(wrestler - free style)
He starts going in for wrestling in his native village at the age of 10. Georgi Achev - his trainer since the year 1970 till 1978 when he completed studies at the sport school in Ruse - introduces him in the delicate technique of wrestling.
He does his military service at the sport school of the CSKA club where he is trained from 1978 till 1980, under the guidance of Yancho Patrikov. He continues to serve at re-engagement, at the CSKA club, till 1990.
In 1990 he goes to the USA but he continues competing for Bulgaria, on behalf of the wrestling club "Slavia-Litex" till the year 1996
Seven times he is a world champion and seven times European. Repeated silver and bronze medal winner at different European, World and Olympic championships.
Being a wrestler for 18 years in the category up to 52 kg - from 685 competition events he won 673.
He terminates his sport carrier at the age of 36 after winning - at the Olympic Games in Atlanta '96 - an Olympic Champion title.
Since 1997 he is a member of the Athletes' Commission of FILA.
In 1998 he is elected President of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation and in 2002 he is re-elected - till the year 2007
In the year 2000 he becomes a member of the Bureau of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee.
Married, two children.
| Quick Facts | |
| Discipline | free style |  |
| Category: | 52kg |
| Born: | 26 Jan 1960 in the village of Sandrovo Rousse region |
| Education: | Master, speciality "Wrestling", National Sports Academy |
Participations in the biggest world competitions:
| Date |
Competition |
Group |
Category |
Position |
| 06 Aug 1979 |
World Championship
Ulan Bator, Mongolia
|
Cadets |
52.0 kg |
5 |
| 26 Aug 1980 |
6 European Championship
Bursa, Turkey |
Cadets |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 23 April 1981 |
24 European Championship
Lodz, Poland |
Men |
52.0 kg |
3 |
| 01 Jan 1982 |
25 European Championship
Varna, Bulgaria
|
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 17 April 1983 |
26 European Championship
Budapest, Hungary |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 26 Sept 1983 |
22 World Championship
Kiev, URSS |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 26 April 1984 |
27 European Championship
Jonkoping, Sweden |
Men |
52.0 kg |
2 |
| 25 April 1985 |
28 European Championship
Budapest, Hungary |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 10 Oct 1985 |
23 World Championship
Budapest, Hungary |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 14 April 1986 |
29 European Championship
Athens, Greece |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 19 Oct 1986 |
24 World Championship
Budapest, Hungary |
Men |
52.0 kg |
3 |
| 01 May 1987 |
30 European Championship
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 26 Aug 1987 |
25 World Championship
Clermont-Ferrand, France |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 01 Jan 1988 |
FILA's
Grand Prix /Big Prize/
Budapest, Hungary |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 16 April 1988 |
31 European Championship
Manchester, Great Britain |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 12 May 1989 |
32 European Championship
Ankara, Turkey
|
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 01 Sept 1989 |
26 World Championship
Martini, Switzerland |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 06 Sept 1990 |
27 World Championship
Tokyo, Japan
|
Men |
52.0 kg |
2 |
| 03 Oct 1991 |
28 World Championship
Varna, Bulgaria |
Men |
52.0 kg |
2 |
| 03 Aug 1992 |
XXV Olympic Games
Barcelona, Spain |
Men |
52.0 kg |
3 |
| 25 Aug 1993 |
29 World Championship
Toronto, Canada
|
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 24 Aug 1994 |
30 World Championship
Istanbul, Turkey |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 10 Aug 1995 |
31 World Championship
Atlanta, USA |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| 30 July 1996 |
XXVI Olympic Games
Atlanta, USA |
Men |
52.0 kg |
1 |
| Prizes and distinctions: |
- Best FILA wrestler (free-style) for the year 1984
- Best FILA wrestler (free-style) for the year 1995
- Included in the FILA classification "Wrestler of the 20-th century"
- Included in the list of the Top 10 of Bulgaria for the years: - 1983,
1985,
1986,
1987,
1989,
1992,
1993,
1994,
1995,
1996
- Winner of unique world sport record - 20-year sport practice in the category by 52 kg; participant in the national selection of Bulgaria - men, in European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games from 1981 till 1996 without interruption
- Repeated champion of Grand Prix tournaments and international FILA tournaments
- First at the Tournament of the Super-Champions - Tokyo 1987
- Winner in the match of the Super-Champions Pittsburgh, USA, in 1989 and 1990
- The only one wrestler in the world /Free and Greco-Roman wrestling/ who won 10 medals at world championships /7 golden, 2 silver and 1 bronze/
- Winner in the world team /FILA against Russia, Vladi-Caucasus in 1993 & 1994
- Sportsman of 20-th century, elected by the National Sports Academy (year 2000)
- Winner of "Dan Kolov" belt for the year 1983
- Champion at the tournament "Goodwill" - Seattle 1990 ã.
|
| FILA distinctions: |
- 1999 - Golden medal of FILA
- 2001 - FILA plaquette
|
| State distinctions: |
- 1983 - Bronze Order of Labour of R Bulgaria
- 1987 - Silver order "People's Republic of Bulgaria"
- 1994 - Honoured with the title "Honorary citizen of the town of Sofia"
- 1996 - Golden Olympic order
- 1997 - Honoured with the title "Honorary citizen of the town of Varna"
- 2000 - Honoured with the title "Honorary citizen of the town of Varna"
- Golden medal of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee
- Golden badge of the Bulgarian Youth and Sport Agency
- Medal for Sport Glory of BSFS - I class
- Sportsman of the Century of the town of Ruse
- Winner of order "1300 year Bulgaria"
- Numerous distinctions of state and sport institutions
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