Bulgaria's volleyball playerAleksandar Nikolovranked9th placein the 52nd edition of the Bulgarian News Agency's "Balkan Athlete" poll for 2025.
His presence in the Top 10 is entirely natural after a strong year in which he established himself as a leader of the national team.
Silver medal and individual recognition
Nikolov becamethe top scorer at the World Volleyball Championship in the Philippines, where Bulgaria reachedthe silver medals– a historic success for the team.
The outside hitter played a key role in the decisive matches of the elimination phase, and his performance also earned him a place inthe tournament's dream team. The combination of stable serving, high attacking efficiency, and significant contribution in reception made him a key figure in the squad.
Among a total of47 nominated athletesfrom across the region, 9th place for a volleyball player is indicative of the significance of our national team's achievement. The award was presented to the coordinator of our national teams, Nikolay Ivanov.
Final ranking – Top 10 "Balkan Athlete" 2025
| Place | Athlete | Country | Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Popovici | Romania | Swimming |
| 2 | Nikola Jokic | Serbia | Basketball |
| 3 | Karlos Nasar | Bulgaria | Weightlifting |
| 4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Greece | Basketball |
| 5 | Zrinka Ljutic | Croatia | Alpine Skiing |
| 6 | Emmanouil Karalis | Greece | Athletics |
| 7 | Alperen Şengün | Turkey | Basketball |
| 8 | Distria Krasniqi | Kosovo | Judo |
| 9 | Aleksandar Nikolov | Bulgaria | Volleyball |
| 10 | Stefanos Ntouskos | Greece | Rowing |
In a ranking dominated by basketball and individual Olympic disciplines, the presence of a volleyball player is a significant indicator of the value of Bulgarian performance during the season.
Aleksandar Nikolov's ninth place reflects not just an individual breakthrough, but the significance ofthe silver medal from the World Championship– a success that returned Bulgaria among the leading forces in world volleyball.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
