Yordanov, Valentine

He began to engage in wrestling at the age of 10 years. In 1978 he graduated from a sports school in Ruse . From 1978 to 1980 he served in the army, training at CSKA. He played for CSKA until 1990, then played for Slavia. ^[four]

In 1979, he performed at the Balkan Games among adults, and won second place there. In 1979, he was fifth at the Junior World Championships. In 1980, he won the Balkans Championship among adults and the European Championship among juniors. In 1981, he won the “bronze” at the European Championships among adults, and the next year became the European champion. In the same year at the World Cup was only 13th. Since 1983, he has lost little at major competitions (he did not participate in the 1984 Olympics). In 1983 he became the champion of the world and Europe, in 1984 he stumbled at the European Championship, remaining with the “silver”. However, in 1984 FILA was recognized as the best freestyle wrestler in the world. In 1985, he again became the champion of the world and Europe and again recognized as the best freestyle wrestler. In 1986, he once again became the champion of Europe, the winner of the World Super Championship, and at the regular world championship he was third. In 1987 he again made a double in the form of "gold" at the World and European Championships. In 1988, he again became the champion of Europe and won the FILA Grand Prix Gala. Before the Olympic Games was considered as an unconditional favorite and an unequivocal contender for first place.

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, he fought in the category of up to 52 kilograms ( flyweight ). The tournament participants, numbering 30 people in the category, were divided into two groups. Points were awarded for winning fights, from 4 points for a clear victory and 0 points for a clear defeat. In each group, four wrestlers with the highest scores were determined (the fight was held according to the system with elimination after two defeats ), they played the first to eighth places among themselves. The winners of the groups met in the battle for the first or second places, who took second place - for the third and fourth places and so on. Valentin Yordanov started the tournament very confidently, but was injured and unexpectedly lost to the current Olympic champion Shaban Trstene, and then to the Soviet wrestler Vladimir Toguzov. He did not enter the battle for seventh place due to injury, and remained only in eighth place.

In 1989, he again made a double in the form of “gold” at the World and European Championships. In 1990, he was only the second at the World Championships, and won the tournament of the Grand Masters of Olympic wrestling. In 1991, he again remained only second in the World Cup.

At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, he fought in the category of up to 52 kilograms ( flyweight ). The tournament participants, numbering 18 people in the category, were divided into two groups. The rules basically remained the same, only the five best athletes in the group left the group for the final bouts. Again, Valentin Yordanov confidently moved up the standings, but unexpectedly lost to the North Korean athlete in the semifinals. In the battle for third place he won and won the bronze medal of the Olympiad.

After the Olympic Games, he became the world champion three times in a row: in 1993, 1994 and 1995, no longer speaking at less significant competitions.

At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, he fought in the category of up to 52 kilograms ( flyweight ). After the first round, the wrestlers were divided into two tables: winners and losers. The winners continued to fight among themselves, and the losers participated in comforting battles. After two defeats in the preliminary and classification (comforting) rounds, the wrestler dropped out of the tournament. Thus, during the tournament, the losers were eliminated twice from the table of the defeated, but it was replenished with the losers from the table of winners. Ultimately, the top eight wrestlers were determined. The losers never met in the fight for 1-2 places, those who lost in the semifinal met with the winners of the comforting battles and the winners of these meetings fought for 3-4 places and so on. 19 athletes fought in the category. This time, already a 36-year-old athlete, after an almost 20-year career at the highest international level, managed to achieve the Olympic gold medal by winning Namik Abdullaev in the overtime finals.

After the games, he left his career in big sport. In 1997 he became a member of the FILA Athletes Commission. From 1998 to 2014, he was president of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation. In 2014, he announced that he would not run for the post of head of the federation. ^[5] Since 2000, a member of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, as of 2013 he was vice president of the Olympic Committee of Bulgaria. ^[6] .

Back in 1990 he emigrated to the United States , but continued his performances for Bulgaria.

Member of the international FILA Fight Hall of Fame (2003), recognized by FILA as the “XX Century Fighter”. A brief description of the fighter, given back in 1984 by the Soviet coaching staff.

Strong-willed athlete, struggles to the end, knows how to get together in difficult times. Develops a high pace, especially in the second period of the match, has good muscle sensitivity. It defends well, often attacks itself, and when it misses the attack, it tries to manage to hold a counter-reception from any position. He fights competently, correctly distributes his forces in a duel. He tries to impose his duel pattern, so he takes the initiative in his hands due to frequent attacks. Had meetings with all the leading fighters of his weight. At the last World Cup, he spent only 2 fights and both lost to the leading world wrestlers. Today, he has significantly added to tactical and technical training, increased his endurance and against this background, skillfully realizes his previously acquired experience of international meetings and the tactical and technical arsenal. A favorite grip is grabbing the head from above with the left hand or right. From this position, it begins its attacks, knocks down an opponent and goes behind him on the left side. Often dives to the left foot. He is a good performer of throwing through the back by grabbing the arm (right) over the shoulder. When the opponent moves to the ground, he rolls to the right. It performs a coup well with a deflection by the reverse capture of the far thigh. The rack has a tendency to throw through the back and half-bend.

- ^[7]

In 2000, he was recognized in Bulgaria as the national athlete of the century. Honorary Citizen of Sofia and Varna. Cavalier of the Order of Stara Planina (2012), Bronze Order of Labor (1983), Silver Order of the NRB (1987), Order of the 13th Century of Bulgaria , Golden Olympic Order (1996), Golden Medal of the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, Golden Badge of the Bulgarian Affairs Committee youth and sports, medals "Sports Glory" class 1 ^[3]

In February 2013, he sent his gold Olympic medal to the president of the IOC International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, in protest of an attempt to exclude the fight from the program of the Olympic Games ^[6]

According to the will of the American billionaire John DuPont , a well-known philanthropist, philanthropist, sponsor and scientist, a member of the DuPont family, who founded DuPont , and at the same time the killer of fighter Dave Schultz , he and his relatives are the heir to 80% of John DuPont's fortune. This will was disputed in 2011 by the relatives of the billionaire in court, but their claims were rejected at all levels.

Married, has two children.

• [1] Olympic Games 1992, freestyle wrestling, 52 kg, 3-4 place: Valentin Yordanov (Bulgaria) - Kim Sung Hak (Korea)
• [2] Olympic Games 1996, freestyle wrestling, 52 kg, final: Namik Abdullayev (Azerbaijan) - Valentin Yordanov (Bulgaria)

• Valentin Yordanov - Olympic statistics at Sports-Reference.com
• Valentin Yordanov - profile on the International Wrestling Database website