Maria Koleva, a Psychology student, Wins Bronze Medal in Swimming at the Summer University Sports Games

11 September 2026

Maria Koleva, a third-year Psychology student at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar,” won a bronze medal in the 50-meter backstroke at the 2026 Summer University Sports Games. The competition was held in Kranevo and organized by the “Academic” Association for University Sports.

Varna Free University participated with teams in beach football, women’s and men’s beach volleyball, swimming, table tennis, and the beach relay.

In the beach volleyball tournament, Ivet Gavrailova and Sofia Gavrilova achieved convincing victories and advanced to the quarterfinals.

The football team played three closely contested matches. Varna Free University students defeated Veliko Tarnovo University 5 - 0, lost 3 - 4 to the Technical University of Sofia after conceding a goal in the final minute, and finished with a 1 - 4 defeat against the University of National and World Economy, which went on to reach the tournament final.

The team captain and top scorer was Momchil Manchev. The squad also included Bahri Fikret, Okan Osman, Tihomir Velkov, Dimitar Yordanov, Hristomir Hristov, Mario Mitkov, Daniel Adams, Tebey Collins, and Kelvin Owigosotu.

The university delegation was led by the Student Council President Toni Bidzhonov and sports lecturers Anelia Sinabova and Viktoria Petkova.