December 30 (BTA) - Vessela Dimitrova was named Bulgarian Coach of 2021 in the 38th annual poll organized by the Trud daily. Dimitrova, who took the Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics ensemble to the country's first Olympic title in this sport, won 168 points in the poll. She was ranked first by 31 out of 37 participating media outlets.

This is Dimitrova's third Bulgarian Coach of the Year award after 2017 and 2019. By tradition, the winner is presented with a painting by a Bulgarian artist. This time, the artist is Bogdan Bondikov.

The top three coaches list for 2021 also includes Angel Lenkov (karate, 69 points), who works with 2020 Tokyo Olympic champion Ivet Goranova, and Borislav Georgiev (boxing, 67 points), who coaches Tokyo Olympic title holder Stoyka Krasteva. MT/VE

Source: Sofia