The men's national volleyball team was deservedly and unanimously chosen as Team of the Year at the 'Sports Icarus' awards. This was announced by the organizers at a special press conference at the Press Club 'Bulgaria'. The silver medal from the World Championship in the Philippines became a golden page for Bulgarian sports, marking one of the team's strongest performances in recent decades.
The story of an inspired child, who moved all of Bulgaria, underscored how profound the effect of success is.
The awards ceremony will take place on December 19 at 11:00 AM at the Grand Hotel Sofia, and this year the distinctions are in 10 categories.
Karlos Nasar – A Year of Absolute Domination
Olympic and world champion Karlos Nasar once again demonstrated the class that turned him into a global star. He became European champion for the third time, and at the World Championship in Norway, he won the title in the up to 94 kg category, also setting a world record in the clean and jerk.
Nasar continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in his sport.
Other honorees in the 'Sports Icarus' categories
Impressive Performance
Albert Popov (skiing) – World Cup slalom victory in Madonna di Campiglio.
Tervel Zamfirov (snowboard) – World Champion in parallel slalom, giant slalom, and junior champion.
Breakthrough in World Sports
Simeon Nikolov (volleyball, 19 years old)– silver medalist from the World Championship in the Philippines.
Malena Zamfirova (16 years old, snowboard) – medalist from the U23 World Championship and #1 young athlete in Europe (EOC).
Commendable Performance
Alex Nikolov (volleyball)– silver medalist and top scorer at the World Championship in the Philippines.
Bozhidar Saraboyukov (athletics) – fifth place at the World Championship in Tokyo.
Milena Todorova (biathlon) - strong season with a top ranking in the overall standings.
Lasting presence in world sports.
Yoana Ilieva (fencing) - World No. 3, five podium finishes.
Stiliana Nikolova (rhythmic gymnastics) - European vice-champion, five medals at the World Championships.
Radoslav Rosenov (boxing) - four-time European champion U23.
Special Paralympic/Deaflympic awards.
Ruzhdi Ruzhdi - six-time world champion.
Nikolay Hristov - bronze in karate at the Deaflympic Games.
Masters.
Petko Glavinov (71, swimming) - three medals from the World Masters Championship.
Mihail Petrov (25, swimming) - world champion in 200m breaststroke.
Special awards from the "Bulgarian Sport" Foundation.
Volleyball - U19 girls - world champions.
The Stoeva Sisters - top 5 at the World Badminton Championships.
Individual awards.
Kalina Boyadzhieva (kickboxing) - three world titles.
Nikola Tsolov (motorsport) - second in Formula 3, debut in Formula 2.
Ivan Ivanov (tennis) - Wimbledon and US Open champion in juniors.
Hristiyan Kasabov (athletics) - two European medals.
Stanislav Mitkov (taekwondo) - silver from World U21.
