Anelia Ralenkova

Anelia Ralenkova (Bulgarian: Анелия Раленкова; born December 25, 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) December 25, 1963 Sofia
Discipline	Rhythmic gymnastics
Medal record Representing  Bulgaria World Championships 1981 Munich All-around 1981 Munich Clubs 1983 Strasbourg Hoop 1981 Munich Rope 1981 Munich Hoop 1983 Strasbourg All-around 1981 Munich Ribbon 1983 Strasbourg Ball 1983 Strasbourg Clubs 1983 Strasbourg Ribbon European Championships 1982 Stavanger All-around 1982 Stavanger Rope 1982 Stavanger Hoop 1984 Vienna All-around 1984 Vienna Hoop 1984 Vienna Ball 1984 Vienna Clubs 1982 Stavanger Clubs 1984 Vienna Ribbon World Cup Final 1983 Belgrade Ball 1983 Belgrade Clubs 1983 Belgrade All-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. In 1991, she started her own Rhythmic Academy in Redmond, Washington, United States.

References

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

External links

• Anelia Ralenkova at the International Gymnastics Federation
• Bulgarian sport profile