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JORDAN Jovtchev, Krasimir Dunev and Silvia Mitova have helped define Bulgarian gymnastics from the time the country, like other Eastern European nations, began its new
found independence in the 1990s. As Bulgarian gymnastics continues its struggle to establish itself in the 21st century, it need only to review the past for inspiration and solace. From the late 1970s through the '80s, male and female gymnasts from Bulgaria earned individual world and Olympic medals, culminating with Lubomir Geraskov's pommel horse gold at the '88 Olympics. Although the Bulgarian women were fifth at the '91 worlds, a downward slide commenced for both teams. Jovtchev and Russian-born Yevgenia Kuznetsova are current leaders who are helping inch Bulgaria back toward former prominence. In this special edition of "Catching Up With..., " IG profiles six of Bulgaria's most prolific gymnasts whose achievements serve to motivate, challenge and honor the country's rich gymnastics history.
Stoyan Deltchev:
The Innovator
STOYAN Deltchev vividly recalls the two conquests that best define his career: his 1980 Olympic victory on high bar, and his '79 European all-- around title. "Those were the best times of my life," says Deltchev, 43 and a former coach at Gymnastics Nevada in Reno. "The Olympics is the highest place you can go in sports. Also, I was the first non-Soviet in 14 years to win Europeans, and (until 2002) nobody from outside the former Soviet Union won it."
A native of Plovdiv, Deltchev earned many other accolades during his career, among them the all-around bronze at the '80 Olympics and '79 World Cup, two medals at the '78 Worlds, and the floor exercise gold at the '79 World Cup. Following his retirement, Deltchev spent three months coaching in Liverpool, England; he emigrated to the U.S. in '91. Now single, Deltchev has a daughter, Deliana (born in '85), from his former marriage.
Reflecting on his enduring image as a high bar specialist, Deltchev insists he was a maverick all-grounder. "I loved high bar, but every event was a pleasure," he says. "I loved to do new skills. I was doing a lot of new stuff, but most of it was shown by other gymnasts two or three years later. I was like Jordan (Jovtchev) is now. I was Bulgaria's...