Jump to content

Anelia Ralenkova

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anelia Ralenkova
Country represented Bulgaria
Born (1963-12-25) 25 December 1963 (age 60)
Sofia
DisciplineRhythmic gymnastics
Eponymous skillsRalenkova: 360 degree rotation on back
Medal record
Representing  Bulgaria
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1981 Munich All-around
Gold medal – first place 1981 Munich Clubs
Gold medal – first place 1983 Strasbourg Hoop
Silver medal – second place 1981 Munich Rope
Silver medal – second place 1981 Munich Hoop
Silver medal – second place 1983 Strasbourg All-around
Bronze medal – third place 1981 Munich Ribbon
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Strasbourg Ball
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Strasbourg Clubs
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Strasbourg Ribbon
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1982 Stavanger All-around
Gold medal – first place 1982 Stavanger Rope
Gold medal – first place 1982 Stavanger Hoop
Gold medal – first place 1984 Vienna All-around
Gold medal – first place 1984 Vienna Hoop
Gold medal – first place 1984 Vienna Ball
Gold medal – first place 1984 Vienna Clubs
Silver medal – second place 1982 Stavanger Clubs
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Vienna Ribbon
World Cup Final
Gold medal – first place 1983 Belgrade Ball
Gold medal – first place 1983 Belgrade Clubs
Bronze medal – third place 1983 Belgrade All-around

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.

Biography

[edit]

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.[3] 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.[citation needed] She finished the individual apparatus finals with golds for hoop, ball, and clubs and a bronze for ribbon. At the Friendship Games, she moved up from fifth place on the first day of competition to second place in the all-around on the second.[4]

In 1989, the U.S. Gymnastics Federation invited Ralenkova to do clinics, workshops, and sports promotions in a 35-city tour across the U.S. She began a gym in Seattle before moving to Palm Beach, Florida in 2001 and coaching there. She has one son.[5]

Eponymous skill

[edit]

Ralenkova has one eponymous skill listed in the code of points, a turn of 360 degrees performed with the gymnast's back on the floor.[6]

Name Description Difficulty[a]
Ralenkova Rotation on the back 360 0.1 each rotation
  1. ^ Valid for the 2022-2024 Code of Points

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sports Digest; Sydney Morning Herald (Oct 27, 1981); p33
  2. ^ Rhythmic gymnastics debuts The Nashua Telegraph - Jul 27, 1984; p15
  3. ^ "Gymnastics". Lakeland Ledger. 14 November 1983. p. 2D.
  4. ^ "Several Olympic marks topped by Soviets". The Day. 19 August 1984. p. D-7.
  5. ^ "Анелия Раленкова: "Толкова много хора на плаж като в България, не съм виждала. В Щатите, когато отидеш на плаж, все едно притежаваш океана. Няма никого!"" [Anelia Ralenkova: “I have not seen so many people on a beach as in Bulgaria. In the States, when you go to the beach, it's like you own the ocean. There is no one!”]. bg.meri.bg (in Bulgarian). January 2022. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  6. ^ "2022–2024 Code of Points Rhythmic Gymnastics" (PDF). International Gymnastics Federation. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
[edit]