Burgas, Bulgaria — Stiliana Nikolova delivered a stunning performance at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup in Burgas, securing three gold medals across two days of fierce competition.
The reigning European champion, fresh from her victory in Budapest, continued to display her mastery of the sport, winning the ball, clubs, and ribbon routines and cementing her status as one of Europe’s top rhythmic gymnasts.
Nikolova opened the competition with a commanding win in the ball routine, setting a strong tone for the rest of the event. She then followed up with equally impressive performances on the second day, taking top honors in the clubs and ribbon categories.
Her clubs routine was particularly notable for its technical difficulty and artistic flair, earning her a score of 29.083 points. The breakdown of her score included a difficulty rating of 12.9, an execution score of 8.033, and an artistry mark of 8.200, with a minor penalty of 0.050.
In the ribbon routine, Nikolova achieved an even higher score of 29.899 points, marked by a difficulty score of 13.7, execution of 7.966, and artistry of 8.233. These scores not only reflected her technical prowess but also her ability to combine precision with expressive performance.
Alongside Nikolova, Bulgaria’s other hopeful, Dara Stoyanova, delivered valiant efforts but ultimately fell short of the podium. Stoyanova finished fourth in the ribbon routine with a solid score of 27.099 points.
Despite her strong showing in this event—comprising difficulty (11.8), execution (7.566), and artistry (7.733)—she narrowly missed a medal. In the clubs routine, an error disrupted her performance, resulting in a seventh-place finish with 25.666 points.
In the all-around “Cross Battles” classification, which aggregates scores from multiple routines, Nikolova emerged as the clear leader with a total of 115.014 points.
Her consistency and high-scoring routines kept her well ahead of the competition. Israel’s Meital Sumkin and Cyprus’s Vera Tugolukova took second and third places respectively, scoring 108.263 and 107.964 points.
Stoyanova ranked sixth overall, a respectable position that underscores her potential in future events. Bulgaria’s success at the European Cup in Burgas has been remarkable, with the nation accumulating four medals in total: three gold and one silver.
This medal haul strengthens Bulgaria’s reputation as a powerhouse in rhythmic gymnastics and highlights the depth of talent currently emerging from the country.
The European Rhythmic Gymnastics Cup serves as an important stage for gymnasts to test their skills against top international competitors ahead of major championships.
Nikolova’s performance in Burgas not only confirms her status as reigning European champion but also sends a strong message about her readiness for upcoming global contests.
For Bulgaria, the achievements of Stiliana Nikolova and Dara Stoyanova at this event are cause for celebration. Their dedication and skill demonstrate the continued growth of rhythmic gymnastics within the country, inspiring younger athletes and contributing to the sport’s popularity.
As the competition in Burgas draws to a close, all eyes will be on Nikolova and her next steps, with fans and experts alike eager to see how far her talent can take her on the world stage.