Momchil Karailiev and Veneva Veneva will lead a compact group from Bulgaria in Helsinki for the 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics (6 – 14 August).
Two years ago in Paris the Bulgarian team failed to earn any kind of medal. This time Momchil Karailiev (TJ) and the experienced Venelina Veneva (HJ) have their real chances for a place on the rostrum. The other athletes (most of them relatively young and inexperienced) will try to obtain the necessary form in time for their clash with the greatest world athletic stars.
MEN
YORDAN ILINOV (200 M). Born in Plovdiv on 28 May 1985. “Trakiya 96 Plovdiv”. Coach Yordanka Arizanova.National champion at 200 m form men and U23 for 2004 & 2005. Sixth at 200 m EC U23 2005. Balkan champion at 100 m for 2005. Pbs: 100 m 10.40 (2005), 200 m (20.72 (2005). Single.
MOMCHIL KARAILIEV (TRIPLE JUMP). Born 21.05.1982 in Sliven. “ASC Sliven”. Coach Atanas Ivanov (219 HJ). Fourth at EC U23 at TJ. 13th Q WCi 2004. Third at CE group A 2004. Fifth at ECi 2005 at TJ (16.64).22th Q Oly 2004.Pb 17.16 (2004)& LJ 749 (2003). Best result 17.19 & 17.36w (2005). Single.
WOMEN
VENELINA VENEVA (HIGH JUMP). Born 13.06.1974 in Ruse. “Universal”. Coach Georgi Dimitrov. Has made 1.93 at 15y 8m 11d in Dobrich on 24.02.1990 (world age 15 y best). Second ECj ’91 at HJ. Fifth at EC ’98. Fourth ECi 2000. Ninth at Oly ’00. At WCi ’01 third. Fourth at WC Edmonton 2001. Pb 204 (1998) & 202i (2002). Third at ECi 2005 (1.97). Other pbs: TJ 12.51; LJ 6.17i (1990). Her older sister Kremena was inaugural Bulgarian TJ record holder with 12.11i (1990). Married with a daughter Neapola. Pb in 2005 – 198. Bulgarian champion outdoors 1995 & 2004 and indoors 1994 & 1998 and also at TJ (1995).
TEODORA KOLAROVA (800 M). Born in Varna on 29 May 1981. “KLASA” Coached by Georgi Dimitrov. Bulgarian champion at 800 m for 2004 & 2005 (indoor & outdoor). Pbs 400 m 54.34 (2005), 800 m 2:01.14 (2005), 400 m h 58.13 (2005).
DANIELA YORDANOVA (1500 M). Born in Slivnitsa on 08 March 1976. Cîach Dimitar Vasilev. Single. Club – “Cherno more Athletic” Varna. Fifth at EC indoors in Gent 2000 at 3000 m with national record (8:47.45). Tenth at Olympiade 2000 Sydney at 5000 m with national record (14:56.95). Fifth at 1500 m in Lisboa at the WC indoors 2001. Seventh at WC Paris 2003 at 1500 m. Fifth at EC Munich 2002 at 1500 m. Fourth at WC indoors in Budapest 2004 at 1500 m. Personal bests: 800 m 2:03.02 (2001), 1500 m 3:59.10 (2004), 3000 m 8:30.59 (2001) and 5000 m (14:56.95) – at 3000 & 5000 m – still national records. Fifth at OLY Athens 2004 at 1500 m with 3:59.10. Heavy surgery just after Olympiade at both Achilles.
DOBRINKA SHALAMANOVA (3000 M STEEPLECHASE). Born in Sofia on 01.05.1983 “KLASA”. Coached by prof. Petar Bonov, vice president of European track & field coaches association. Twî Bulgarian records at 3000 m st. in 2005 (10:14.9 & 9:56.75). National record holder also at U23. Bulgarian champion outdoors at 1500 m 2003 & 2004 (indoors 2001 & 2005), at 3000 m indoors (2002 & 2005) and at 3000 m st. in 2005. Pbs 800 m 2:08.67 (2003), 1500 m 4:20.47 (2005), 3000 m 9:21.89 (2005), 5000 m 16:56.41 (2005) & 10000 m 35:46.25 (2005). Fourth at EC U23 in Erfurt at 3000 m st. Her father Vasko Shalamanov was football player at the time at was Bulgarian champion with the team of LEVSKI SPARTAK in the mid 70’s. Single.
VANYA STAMBOLOVA (400 M H). Born in Varna on 28 Nov 1983. “KLASA”. Coached by Georgi Dimitrov. Both with Teodora Kolarova were initially coached by Tsonka Gospodinova in Varna. Bulgarian champion at 400 m hurdles for 2005. Pbs at 400 m 52.99 (2005), 400 m h 56.29 (2005). Balkan champion at 400 m h for 2005.
MARIYA DIMITROVA (TRIPLE JUMP). Born 07.08.1976 in Pleven. “Bononia Vidin”. Coach Valeri Tsvetkov (Bulgarian record holder at HJ 2.19 ’79). Pb 14.52 (2004). Other pbs: LJ 6.41 (’04) & HJ 179. Bulgarian champion at TJ (1994, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005) and indoors (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004) as well as at LJ (2000). Best in 2005 so far 14.13. Single.
RUMYANA KARAPETROVA (JAVELIN). Born at 07 Feb 1982 in Kazanlak. “Akademik” Sofia. Coach Boris Vodenicharov. Bulgarian Champion 200, 2003 & 2005. Balkan champion 2003, 2004. Pb 60.66 (2005). Single.
MARIYANA DIMITROVA (4 X 400 M). Born 29.07.1982 in Sliven. “Akademik Sofiya”. Coach Khristo Stoyanov. Pbs: 100 11.56, 200 23.22 (22.95w) 2004; 400 51.20 (2004); 400 h 56.33 (2004). Single. Balkan champion at 400 m for 2004. Bulgarian champion at 400 m outdoors (2004 & 2005) and indoor (2004 & 2005). Best pb on 2005 52.17. Balkan champion at relay 4x400 m for 2005.
MONIKA GACHEVSKA. (4 X 400 M)Born in Pleven on 30 January 1974. First coach Penko Kozarski. Since 1993 coached by Khristo Stoyanov. Twice Balkan champion at 200 m. National champion at 100 m (2000, 2001, 2003) and at 200 m (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003 outdoors and 1995, 1997, 2001, 2004 & 2005)). Participant at 200 m at Olympic games Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 & Athens 2004. Pbs: At 100 m 11.30 (1996), at 200 m 22.73 (2004) and at 400 m 53.20 (2004). And indoors: 60 m 7.42 (1998) & 200 m 23.43 (1999). Best pbs in 2005 – 100 m 11.96, 200 m 23.96, 400 m 53.59. Balkan champion at relay 4x400 m for 2005.
NEDYALKA GAYDAROVA-NEDKOVA (4 X 400 M). Born in Silistra on 15 March 1977. “OLYMP 97 SILISTRA”. Coached by her husband Iliya Nedkov (ex marathon runner). Three times Bulgarian champion at 400 m (2001, 2002 & 2003) and once indoors (2001). Pbs 200 m 24.46, and 400 m 52.61 & 52.2 HT (2003). Best in 2005 53.02. Balkan champion at relay 4x400 m for 2005.
MONIKA IVANOVA (4 X 400 M). Born in Sofiya on 08 May 1985. “LEVSKI”. Coached by Konstantin Milanov. Bulgarian champion U23 at 100 m in 2005. Pbs 100 m 11.46 (2005), 200 m 24.23 (2005), 400 m ind 57.68 (2005). Balkan champion at relay 4x400 m for 2005.
Aleksandar Vangelov for the IAAF
