Today, the Legendary Neshka Robeva Turns 70

I wanted to devote a blog post to her glorious achievements and to the imaginative, emotionally striking, original choreography that she has done both for gymnasts and for dancers. But I think dance speaks better than words on this one. So, here is a montage one of her big fans did. One of her thousands and thousands fans around the world, who agree with me that she is absolutely extraordinary:

To have watched Neshka's gymnasts and dancers perform has become a lifelong passion for me. I have chosen to follow her work for two main reasons. The first reason is the originality of her choreography. The second reason is that she always managed to showcase the best qualities of a gymnast so well that anyone who was talent could appear uniquely brilliant, truly shining. I would like to believe that the next generation coaches have learned from her and that they will embrace the Bulgarian style in gymnastics resiliently and with confidence that talent always wins.

I would like to remember Neshka Robeva as the creative spirit who made all gymnasts achieve their best. Even when she had to quietly pull their ears like in the picture below. This picture clearly shows how coach and choreographer never takes the center of the stage. Instead, she creates the whole stage and supports her performers with every breath.

And I can't imagine a greater birthday gift than the knowledge that you have helped many talented people rise to the best level they can. Happy 70th!

A New Bulgarian in the World Elite

Neviana Vladinova has placed 4th with hoop at Grand Prix - Moscow and shown expressiveness, power, maturity and style. Watch her hoop here:



I have been writing about her for a while so I feel very proud and honored. Neviana is now receiving scores above 17, which places her among the world's top 10. She can follow in Silvia Miteva's footsteps and go even further.

This hoop is a sophisticated routine which stays true to the Bulgarian style and showcases the best that the gymnast has to offer. This routine proves that a great athlete must possess a strong spirit and a unique style to stand out from the crowd.

Neviana Vladinova is from Pleven and trains with the fabulous Branimira Markova, who became the 1993 team world champion along with Julia Baicheva and Maria Petrova.

Old Ball Routines, Forgotten or Unseen

Today I'd like to post 3 old, but good ball routines that may not have become popular in the 90s, but still held something very special in terms of creating a mood for the audience and telling a story through movement. The 1990s were a special time for gymnastics in terms of transitioning from a more artistic sport to a more athletic discipline with more body difficulties. These routines cannot really compare to the achievements of the gymnasts in the new century, but these routines demonstrate a body language full of musicality and expressions that many gymnasts with more challenging elements should aspire to show.

I hope you will take a moment to watch them and will see the beauty in them that I have seen many times.







It both encourages me and perplexes me that gymnastics, a sport, can be so intertwined with art, and mostly, with emotions. Emotions do not always act as a good guide to success and stability but relying on them and trying to understand them makes them turn into a constant learning experience, with endless room to grow and not necessarily measurable results.

Thrilling Ribbon, Truly Bulgarian

The "Margarita Rangelova" tournament in Sofia is one of my favorite event because it bears the name of my favorite sports journalist, Margarita Rangelova, who wrote several books and many articles about Neshka Robeva and the Bulgarian "golden girls." Margarita wrote about gymnastics with infectious enthusiasm, but, at the same time, she never invaded anyone's personal space with her writing. She never rushed to judgment and she never got tired to admire.

I think if she could see what Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics has become today, she would have continued to seek and praise the most beautiful routines. And she certainly would have loved the routine that I am about to share right now.

Neviana Vladinova, who won this year's edition of the tournament has presented this risky and original ribbon routine that I would like to share with you. Watch for the difficult tosses, for the connections between elements and the unity of the gymnast with the music, which are all attributes of the Bulgarian rhythmic style.




This routine has given me the shivers!

I wish more gymnasts in the future would challenge themselves to present routines with more risk as well as with a memorable and original choreography.

Tango, the Bulgarian Way

Neviana Vladinova rarely goes to big international events because of the crazy politics of the Bulgarian Federation.

But there are other crazy things about Bulgarians, and some of these things are amazingly positive and powerful. Like this routine. Here is gymnast who steps on the carpet perfectly ready to perform under the new Code of Points. Watch the intricate rolls of the ball, the on-the-spot dance steps, the risks, and arm movements:



I wish all new routines combined dance and athletics in this seamless, sophisticated way.