As Minister of Youth and Sports, I am extremely proud that Bulgaria started the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Varna with a historic victory. This sport combines grace, hard work, and…

As Minister of Youth and Sports, I am extremely proud that Bulgaria started the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Varna with a historic victory. This sport combines grace, hard work, and our country has great traditions in this sport. This was said by the Minister of Youth and Sports Encho Keryazov during the official opening of the championship.

A record number of female competitors will participate in the championship - over 370 gymnasts from 43 countries. The competition on the Old Continent will be held for the first time under a new regulation in the women's individual competition introduced by European Gymnastics. "The country has shown us more than once that it can host competitions of the highest class. I thank the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and its president Iliana Raeva, as well as all the partners and volunteers involved in holding the championship, for the high professionalism and efforts in the organization of the event," said Minister Keryazov. In the women's category, Bulgaria will be represented by Stiliyana Nikolova and Eva Brezalieva, who qualified for the hoop and ball finals. Nikolova is the leader in the all-around standings, and Brezalieva is fifth. Bulgaria is also first in the team competition. Stylyana and Eva continue tomorrow with the women's club and ribbon qualifications. In the ensembles, our country will be represented by Sofia Ivanova, Margarita Vasileva, Magdalina Minevska, Emilia Obretenova, Raya Bozhilova and Magdalena Valkova. The championship was opened by the president of European Gymnastics, Farid Gaibov. The event was also attended by the chairman of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation Iliana Raeva, the chairman of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee Vesela Lecheva, the chairman of the Bulgarian Gymnastics Federation Krasimir Dunev and the mayor of Varna Blagomir Kotsev. Tonight, Siyana Alekova won a second gold for Bulgaria at the European Championships in Varna, after triumphing in the girls' hoop final.

Key points

• A record number of female competitors will participate in the championship - over 370 gymnasts from 43 countries.
• The competition on the Old Continent will be held for the first time under a new regulation in the women's individual competition introduced by European Gymnastics.
• "The country has shown us more than once that it can host competitions of the highest class.
• I thank the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and its president Iliana Raeva, as well as all the partners and volunteers involved in holding the championship, for the high professionalism and…
• In the women's category, Bulgaria will be represented by Stiliyana Nikolova and Eva Brezalieva, who qualified for the hoop and ball finals.