Pernek has rarely seen such an unusual plot after a women's volleyball match. In the Minyor hall against Slavia, the "whites'" middle blocker Simona Bakardzhieva appeared with a new status –Miss Bulgaria 2025And although she was not medically ready to participate in the match, her presence became the most talked-about moment of the evening.
**Beauty, volleyball, and her own fashion brand – simultaneously and without compromises**
The new crown holder does not believe she has made a big leap from sports to fashion. She has always drawn, andTensei Fashion – the brand she has been developing for almost a year – was born from her sketches.
The idea to participate in Miss Bulgaria came as a surprise after her own fashion show. Simona appeared at an open casting, without going through regional competitions. There, she impressed the jury and reached the final, and then – the title.
The beginning: from Mladost district to the big stage in volleyball
Bakardzhieva started training at 9–10 years old at the "Zvezdi'94" school – a club located in the 81st school in the capital's Mladost district. At 14–15 years old, she was noticed bySlavia, where her professional path officially began.
Today, she is one of the club's main middle blockers, and despite her new media and social status, she continues to prioritize volleyball.
The difficult preparation before the title – kept secret even from the team
Simona admits that she kept her participation a secret from her teammates to avoid pressure. Her coach, Ivan Dimitrov, confirmed this. The preparation for the competition was tough, and she herself was not in good health.
Due to this, she missed several training sessions, which she used to prepare for the competition final, but hours after her crowning, she was already in the hall in Pernek.
Her next goal is to get in shape for the match against Levski.
What comes after the crown?
For her, the title is not just prestige, but an opportunity. Bakardzhieva believes that through it, the voice of the young can be heardthe voice of the young, to encourage education and activity.
She herself is a final-year student ofEuropean politics and economicsat UNWE, studies two foreign languages and is interning at an embassy – without revealing which one.
“Young people need to be educated, to read, to distinguish fake news. The more they participate in public life, the better it will be in time,” she says.
Regarding the Eurozone, fake news and public reactions
Simona is cautious with economic predictions but believes that awareness is key.
She is not afraid of false rumors about herself – “I study and train, there's nothing to invent”.
Regarding comments that “for the first time a real woman wins the competition,” she reacts calmly:
“I'm glad people support me. But I can't please everyone. And I don't need to – the important thing is to be myself.”
Conclusion
Simona Bakardzhieva is more than the new Miss Bulgaria. She is an example thatsport, education, fashion, and social engagement can go hand in hand.
On the field, she is yet to show more – as she herself promises. And off the field – it seems she has the potential to be one of those young people who don't just win titles, but change the environment around them.
