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Varna Free University celebrated the Olympic Day with a sports festival and recognition of the achievements of its students
06 June 2025
On the eve of the International Olympic Day, a sports festival dedicated to the values of Olympism, a healthy lifestyle and the strength of community was held at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. The event took place in the Eastern Park of the university and was attended by students, lecturers and staff with pleasure. The festival was organized in partnership with the Bulgarian Olympic Committee and included sports activities such as badminton, table tennis, relay races and gymnastics, as well as a ceremonial award ceremony for outstanding athletes from the academic community.
The opening ceremony began with a welcome speech by Prof. D.Sc. Dimitar Kanev, who delivered an inspiring speech to the attendees:
"Dear colleagues and guests,
I heartily congratulate you on the occasion of the Olympic Day — a holiday that reminds us that sport is not just a competition, but a philosophy — a way of thinking that fosters a desire for perfection, respect, perseverance and fair play.
These Olympic values are respected not only on the stadiums, but also in academic auditoriums. Every former and current student knows that the exam session is no less a test than an Olympic final — it requires preliminary preparation and constant efforts, subordinated to a smart and honest strategy - without doping! Because both on the stadium and in the classroom, only they generate sustainable success.
At the sports arena, we value champions. At the arena of science, there are also champions — they do not wear medals, but defend diplomas and accumulate credits and points.
But Olympism teaches us that success is not just a medal, not just credits and points, but a path traveled when having a good plan, work, perseverance and dignity. On this path, sport builds characters, and we at the university build personalities — strong, confident, resilient and inspired.
Therefore, on this day we can paraphrase the slogan of enlightenment - “dare to know” into “dare to be active” — not only physically, but also in the pursuit of knowledge. And we - the management of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" declare that in the future the university will also offer a suitable environment where the Olympic spirit meets the academic aspiration in the name of a better future.
Happy holiday to everyone! Let us carry the Olympic flame in our minds and hearts. May the spirit of Olympism lead us — to victories, to knowledge and to wisdom!
During the celebration, the following students were awarded with diplomas and prizes:
Martin Mihov, 2nd place - cross-country running at the Varna Universiade, 4th place - cross-country Cup December 8th. He is also a participant in the Sofia Marathon.
Tervel Chorbadzhiyski, a student majoring in Psychology triumphed with a team title in the Men's Recurve category at the State Archery Championship! Tervel is a long-time archery competitor who represented Bulgaria at the 2023 European Youth Cup in Bucharest.
Blagovest Todorov, a fourth-year student majoring in Counteraction to Crime and Public Order Protection won a gold medal in the Backstroke discipline at the swimming tournament, part of the 24th Varna Universiade. Blagovest also came third in the freestyle.
Katerina Kozhuharova, a third-year student majoring in Law, won the bronze medal in breaststroke at the XXIV Varna Universiade.
Kristiyan Yordanov, won 4 gold medals at the student championship of the Association for University Sports Academic.
Neslihan Nurieva, a first-year student in Construction of Buildings and Structures, won 3rd place at the State Individual Wrestling Championship for Girls.
Polina Galinova, Our Golden Girl Polina Galinova - a student majoring in Psychology won a gold medal at the 29th edition of the Kickboxing World Cup tournament in Budapest. Polly continues to impress with her achievements on the international kickboxing scene. In April, she won first place at the European Kickboxing Cup, held in Plovdiv, where she defeated a competitor from Hungary in the final in the 60 kg category, K-1 style. She is a bronze medalist at the World Kickboxing Championship in Portugal in November 2023 and a two-time world champion in kickboxing for juniors and cadets.
Alexander Aenski, a first-year student majoring in International Economic Relations in a distance learning mode. He took the Epiphany Cross out of the water in Varna this year. Alexander is a competitor from Varna Swimming Sports Club.
Bozhidar Avramov is a name that basketball fans in Bulgaria know well. An active competitor in Lokomotiv Plovdiv team and winner of the Bulgarian Basketball League Cup, Bozhidar managed not only to establish himself in sports, but also successfully complete his higher education at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar", choosing the distance learning mode.
Denislav Bonev, an active tennis player /3rd place December 8th Cup and 3rd place Varna Universiade/, brought honors to Varna Free University. Just a few days ago, Denislav, who is majoring in Architecture, also won the competition of the Naval Academy for interior design.
Miroslav Pandurov, a 3rd year student in National Security Protection is majoring at Varna Free University Branch in Smolyan. He is part of the technical team of Radoslav Yankov - the best Bulgarian snowboarder, who triumphed in the giant slalom at the Snowboard World Cup competition in Italy.
The women's team of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar", won first place in the annual Streetball 3x3 tournament, part of the December 8th Cup competitions. The team captains are Silvia Petrova (4th year student, majoring in Counteraction to Crime and Public Order Protection), Sofia Gavrailova (3rd year student, majoring in Law), Mariela Nikolova (3rd year student, majoring in Architecture).
Bahri Fikret - captain of the university's football team, which won a silver medal at the national beach football championship in Kranevo. His football team teammates are:
Valentin Kalachev,
Velizar Tashev,
Viktor Nikolov,
Gyurkan Iskrenov,
Dimitar Bonev,
Zlatin Stankov,
Mario Mitkov,
Martin Mihov,
Okan Osman,
Petar Atanasov,
Teodor Trifonov,
Tihomir Velkov,
Toni Bidzhonov.
The event confirmed the commitment of Varna Free University to promoting physical activity and building a strong academic and sports community. Through initiatives like this, VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" strengthens its role not only as an educational institution, but also as a center of values, inspiration and aspiration for excellence.