Few days ago Bulgarian legend in gymnastics and participant in six Olympic Games, as well as four-time Olympic medalist, Yordan Yovchev created the first street fitness club in Bulgaria. The club was presented by Yovchev with a spectacular tournament at the opening of the most modern street fitness park in Sofia, built under the guidance of street fitness competitors and financed by the Sofia Municipality. This year two more fitness grounds will be opened in the Bulgarian capital city and next year there will be 4 more.

In front of the eyes of the audience and participants, Yordan Yovchev personally tested the new equipment. He explained that the idea of ​​the club was „establishing clear rules for athletes and creating a national team that was to represent Bulgaria abroad." The atmosphere of the tournament was emotional and sporty. The youngest participant was just 6 years old. "We are having super fun and emotions are great," Yovchev said and added:

"It is this spirit that made me create the Street Workout Club, which all these people are members of. We want to provide them with good conditions and to organise competitions. What could be better than representatives of various age groups willing to work out outdoors? It is good that there are fitness grounds like this. Here we find talented children who continue their development in gymnastics."

He revealed that he planned creating a mobile gym that could be easily transported.

"Summer is just three months long and after that young people have no place to practice. We would try to create conditions for year-round activities. These children amateurs are very united and they perform interesting exercises. We want to have coaches who would help them in avoiding injuries.”

The motto of the Street fitness maniacs is: "No pain, no gain." Nikola Tachev is one of the main promoters of this relatively young sport in Bulgaria

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For a decade Bulgarian street fitness has marked quite a progress and we can now talk of serious success.

17-year-old Viktor Kamenov was warmly welcomed at the tournament. He is this year’s number one in Bulgaria. At the end of July in Moscow he won the bronze at the Street Workout World Championship, which gives him the right to participate in the World Cup Super Final in Beijing. He has been dealing with street fitness since 2013 and spends 4-5 hours each day working out. He told us what attracted him to street fitness:

"It gives me strength, coordination, endurance. It is always inspiring to see someone who has these qualities. Initially, I was watching videos on the internet of strong guys working out. I liked that and I decided that I wanted to become like them. I started training basic elements and reached a good level."

According to him, street fitness in Bulgaria has been developing successfully:

"The best competitors remain those from Russia and Spain. I do not think, however, that we are lagging far behind them. I think we may soon catch up with them.”

Victor is convinced that the new Street Workout Club would help this goal:

"There are a number of outdoor fitness grounds, but they are not really functional. The do not allow practicing all exercises necessary for the preparation of an athlete. The new sites will help competitors progress."

There was female presence during the street fitness tournament in Sofia, too. 16-year-old Valentina Terein was one of the 11 Bulgarian girls who took part in the competitions. She has been practicing street fitness for 2 years.

"This sport has taught me to support my friends, to enjoy the success of others. It has taught me perseverance, and not giving up,” Valya says.

She is not bothered that this is considered a male sport and even says girls are soon going to become even better than the boys.

English: Alexander Markov

Photos: Miglena Ivanova