site.btaOlympic Champions Ramazanov, Novikov Receive Additional Bonuses from Sponsors of Wrestling Federation

Olympic champions Magomed Ramazanov and Semen Novikov received BGN 20,000 each as additional bonuses for the gold medals in the wrestling tournament at the Olympic Games in Paris, the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation (BWF) said Friday.

Their awards were presented by representatives of the federation's sponsors, Asset Bank and Asset Insurance.

Ramazanov brought home a freestyle title after a 28-year hiatus, as the last Bulgarian champion was Valentin Yordanov in Atlanta 1996. Novikov broke a 24-year drought without gold in the Greco-Roman style. Armen Nazaryan was the last champion in Sydney 2000.

Both legends were at the ceremony alongside the current Olympic gold medallists.

"Valentin Yordanov has a similar fate to mine. As far as I know, he also wanted to quit the sport at the age of 31, but told himself he wouldn't do it until he won the Olympic title. So he fought until he was 36. He was a very technical wrestler, he’d use techniques that I’m not good at. I've watched his bouts many times and I've learned, even though we're in different weight classes. He was lighter, and not all holds could be applied to heavier wrestlers. I also admire him a lot as a person. He always supports wrestlers, talks to them. The fans have a lot of respect for him. He is a legend!" Ramazanov was quoted as saying by the BWF. 

"The emotions have been very nice the last few days. Everyone shows great respect and appreciates the achievement, but I don't feel like a hero. In spite of all the celebrations, I also managed to train, not because I have to, but because I have the desire and my body wants it. I won a European title for Ukraine, now I want to do the same for Bulgaria and then become a world champion," Novikov said.

Each of the champions will be awarded BGN 250,000 by the State.