Anelia Ralenkova

Anelia Ralenkova (Bulgarian: Анелия Раленкова; born 25 December 1963) became one of Bulgaria's most distinctive rhythmic gymnasts. She is one of the "Golden Girls" of Bulgaria that dominated rhythmic gymnastics in the 1980s.

Anelia Ralenkova
Country represented Bulgaria
Born (1963-12-25) 25 December 1963
Sofia
DisciplineRhythmic gymnastics
Medal record
Representing  Bulgaria
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1981 MunichAll-around
Gold medal – first place 1981 MunichClubs
Gold medal – first place 1983 StrasbourgHoop
Silver medal – second place 1981 MunichRope
Silver medal – second place 1981 MunichHoop
Silver medal – second place 1983 StrasbourgAll-around
Bronze medal – third place 1981 MunichRibbon
Bronze medal – third place 1983 StrasbourgBall
Bronze medal – third place 1983 StrasbourgClubs
Bronze medal – third place 1983 StrasbourgRibbon
European Championships
Gold medal – first place1982 StavangerAll-around
Gold medal – first place1982 StavangerRope
Gold medal – first place1982 StavangerHoop
Gold medal – first place1984 ViennaAll-around
Gold medal – first place1984 ViennaHoop
Gold medal – first place1984 ViennaBall
Gold medal – first place1984 ViennaClubs
Silver medal – second place1982 StavangerClubs
Bronze medal – third place1984 ViennaRibbon
World Cup Final
Gold medal – first place1983 BelgradeBall
Gold medal – first place1983 BelgradeClubs
Bronze medal – third place1983 BelgradeAll-around

Biography

She won gold medals at both world[1] and European championships, but missed competing at the Summer Olympics in 1984 due to the Soviet-led boycott.[2] Her coaches were Zlatka Boneva and Neshka Robeva.

The 1982 European Championships were also successful for Ralenkova, who placed first in the all-around and with rope and hoop, and second with clubs. But at the 1983 World Championships, Ralenkova fumbled with ribbon and was defeated by teammate Diliana Gueorguieva. Ralenkova shared the silver medal with another teammate, Lilia Ignatova, and Soviet Galina Beloglazova. Ralenkova won a collection of medals in event finals but was just edged out of every title except hoop (she also earned bronze for ball, clubs, and ribbon).

Ralenkova tied Soviet Galina Beloglazova for the all-around title at the 1984 European Championships, a result she strongly contested but finished the Individual competition finals with golds for hoop, ball, and clubs and a bronze for ribbon.

In 1990, the U.S. Gymnastics Federation invited Ralenkova to do clinics, workshops, and sports promotions in a 35-city tour across the U.S.

References

  1. Sports Digest; Sydney Morning Herald (Oct 27, 1981); p33
  2. Rhythmic gymnastics debuts The Nashua Telegraph - Jul 27, 1984; p15


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