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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Vision impairment
Classification
B2
Guide
Ivan Birnikov, BUL, from 2013
Further personal information
Residence
Sofia, BUL
Occupation
Athlete, Student
Languages
Bulgarian, Czech
Higher education
Coaching - Vasil Levski National Sports Academy: Sofia, BUL
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He first began skiing at age seven. He took up Para cross-country skiing in 2011 at age 23 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Why this sport?
His father got him involved in sports initially, and later he took up Para sports as part of his rehabilitation. He practised Para athletics before being challenged to try a winter sport by his coaches.
Club / Team
Paralympic National Sports Academy: Sofia, BUL
Name of coach
Ivan Birnikov [club], BUL; Ivan Lebanov [national], BUL
International debut
Year
2012
Competing for
Bulgaria
Location
Bulgaria
General interest
Nicknames
The Gun (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Hobbies
Playing video games, cycling. (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Memorable sporting achievement
Finishing third in long jump and 400m at the 2005 IBSA Youth World Championships in Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America. (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Most influential person in career
The president of the Bulgarian Paralympic Association, Ilia Lalov, and the president of the Bulgarian Paralympic National Sports Academy, Stefan Stoykov. (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Hero / Idol
Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen. (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"A strong body builds a healthy soul." (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Awards and honours
He was named the flag bearer for Bulgaria at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. He was also a flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi. (pyeongchang2018.com, 09 Mar 2018; paralympic.org, 16 Mar 2014)
Other sports
He has competed in Para athletics at international level. (Athlete, 29 Dec 2017)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (Athlete, 06 Mar 2018)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 100 m T12 | Heat 5 | 3 | ||
| Men's 400 m T12 | Heat 3 | 4 | ||
| Men's 4x100 m T11-13 | Heat 3 | 9999 | ||
| Men's Long Jump F12 | Final Round | 15 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 1 km Sprint Visually Impaired | Qualification | 2014-03-12 | 16 | |
| Men's 10 km Visually Impaired | Final Round | 2014-03-16 | 19 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's 1.5km Sprint Classic Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-14 | 18 | |
| Men's 10km Classic Visual Impaired | Final | 2018-03-17 | 16 |