Anelia Ralenkova ( bg, Анелия Раленкова; born December 25, 1963) became one of Bulgaria's most distinctive rhythmic gymnasts. She is one of the "Golden Girls" of Bulgaria that dominated rhythmic gymnastics in the 1980s.

Biography

She won gold medals at both world and European championships, but missed competing at the

Summer Olympics The Summer Olympic Games (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques d'été), also known as the Games of the Olympiad, and often referred to as the Summer Olympics, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inau ...

in 1984 due to the Soviet-led boycott.Rhythmic gymnastics debuts
The Nashua Telegraph - Jul 27, 1984; p15 Her coaches were

Zlatka Boneva Zlatka (Златка) is a South Slavic female given name. It is derived from the South Slavic word '' zlato'' - from the Old Slavic root '' zolto'' (gold). The word Златка also literally means marten in Bulgarian. Notable people with the ...

and

Neshka Robeva Neshka Stefanova Robeva ( bg, Нешка Стефанова Робева; born 26 May 1946) is a Bulgarian former Rhythmic Gymnast and coach. Biography Born in Rousse, Robeva graduated from the Bulgarian State Choreography School in "Bulgarian ...

. The 1982 European Championships were also successful for Ralenkova, who placed first in the all-around and with rope and hoop, and second with clubs. But at the 1983 World Championships, Ralenkova fumbled with ribbon and was defeated by teammate

Diliana Gueorguieva Diliana Georgieva ( bg, Диляна Георгиева; born 18 February 1965) is a Bulgarian individual rhythmic gymnast. She was one of the Golden Girls of Bulgaria that dominated Rhythmic Gymnastics in 1980's. Biography Diliana Georgieva was ...

. Ralenkova shared the silver medal with another teammate,

Lilia Ignatova Lilia Ignatova ( bg, Лилия Павлова Игнатова; born 17 May 1965) is a Bulgarian modern rhythmic gymnast. She was one of the Golden Girls of Bulgaria who dominated rhythmic gymnastics in the 1980s. Personal life Ignatova was ...

, and Soviet

Galina Beloglazova Galina Beloglazova (russian: Галина Павловна Белоглазова; born June 10, 1967 Astrakhan, Soviet Union) is a Soviet individual rhythmic gymnast. She was the 1983 World All-around silver medalist and the 1984 European Al ...

. Ralenkova won a collection of medals in event finals but was just edged out of every title except hoop (she also earned bronze for ball, clubs, and ribbon). Ralenkova tied Soviet Galina Beloglazova for the all-around title at the 1984 European Championships, a result she strongly contested but finished the Individual competition finals with golds for hoop, ball, and clubs and a bronze for ribbon. In 1990, the U.S. Gymnastics Federation invited Ralenkova to do clinics, workshops, and sports promotions in a 35-city tour across the U.S.

References

External links

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Bulgarian sport profile
1964 births Living people Bulgarian rhythmic gymnasts Gymnasts from Sofia Sportspeople from Redmond, Washington Bulgarian emigrants to the United States Medalists at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships {{Bulgaria-rhythmic-gymnastics-bio-stub