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.

5 Favorite Routines from the Ukraine

I thought I'd share 5 routines that I really love from gymnasts form the Ukraine. You may have seen them and forgotten some!

5. This routine would be lovely, just take away the clubs; they are in her way of being absolutely beautiful:



Too bad we could not watch Daria Kushnerova more as an individual gymnast.

4. With clubs, but much, much riskier:



I have other Vitrichenko routines that I have enjoyed but this one is my favorite.

3. An old routine, from more than 20 years ago, which I think is excellent, except for the jumps:



2.As for this routine, only about half a million people have seen it, and maybe more need to see it:



1.Finally, my favorite routine by a gymnast from the Ukraine, of all times:

White Fragments, with a Fire Escape