Wrestlers from 24 countries are competing in "Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov"

Wrestlers from 24 countries will compete in the 63rd edition of the "Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov" tournament in Plovdiv, "Kolodruma" hall (March 25-28).

Namely Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus Canada, Cameroon, Spain, Estonia, France, Georgia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sierra Leone, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, USA.

Turkey comes with a strong lineup, which includes the world champion in the classics from 2023 Ali Cengiz (87), as well as Burak Akbudak (82), No. 1 in the world from 2022 and No. 1 in Europe a year later. And also Selcuk Chen, European champion from 2024 and third in the world a year earlier.

In the freestyle, Suleyman Karadeniz (97), fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the European champion this year, will take to the mat. Also Ahmed Duman (61), world vice-champion since 2021, and Abdullah Toprak (70), third in the world under 20 and second in Europe under 23.

In the women's category, our southern neighbor comes with Seval Khair (53), third at the European under 23 this season, and Zeyneb Yetgil (53), third in Europe in 2025 and eighth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The USA will have only one competitor, but an extremely classy one - Zahid Valencia (86), who in 2025 became first at "Dan Kolov" and was named the best foreign wrestler in freestyle. After that, the champion became No. 1 in the world and at the Pan American Championship, and also won the Zagreb Open rating tournament. And this year started with bronze in Zagreb.

After a long break, for the first time in our country there will be a representative of Russia, albeit only one athlete - Alexander Krikuha (87 kg) in the classics.

Ukraine will present itself with a strong lineup in both the men's and women's categories. The Olympic vice-champion from Paris 2024 Parviz Nasibov (67 kg) is coming to our country, who will fight in the 72-kilogram classic style. And also Alexander Khrushchin (63), fifth in the world in 2025.

In the women's category, Anastasia Alipieva (76), European champion since 2025, Nadya Sokolova (76), European champion under 23 this season, Irina Prokopevyuk (62), third in the world and in Europe since 2022, will compete.

In the freestyle, Vladimir Kochanov (125) European vice-champion and second in the world under 23, Andrey Djelep (61), third in Europe, Mikita Avramov (61), fifth in the world under 23, Vladislav Abramov (57), also fifth in the world under 23.

The Polish women's team is led by former coach Peter Kasabov, who also brings medalists from major championships - Patricia Kuber (76), European champion under 23, Viktoria Czoluj (72), third in Europe and eighth at the Olympic Games, Karolina Domanczuk (68), third in the European under 23, Alicia Voivodska (62), third in the European under 23, and also Angelina Lysiak (57), third in the world in 2022 and second in Europe in 2021.

The Belgian team is led by former national team player Sertel Karabadzhakov (Sevdalin Todorov), winner of the Dan Kolov gold belt since 1997.

France will be represented in the women's category by Koumba Larocque (68 kg), third in the world and in Europe in 2023. And Paoline Lacarpentier (68), fifth in the world last season. World vice-champion Juliana Yaneva will compete in this category.

The draw will be made on Wednesday, March 25, at 4:30 p.m. The matches are from Thursday to Saturday. And they will be on 3 mats.

Plovdiv is hosting the prestigious tournament for the third time after 2013 and 2021. But for the first time the fights will be in the "Kolodruma" hall.

Entrance for spectators is free.