{"id":433,"date":"2015-07-29T15:37:13","date_gmt":"2015-07-29T20:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=433"},"modified":"2017-02-15T12:15:07","modified_gmt":"2017-02-15T18:15:07","slug":"ivanov-to-compete-in-wrestling-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/ivanov-to-compete-in-wrestling-world-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"Ivanov To Compete in Wrestling World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading time:\u00a02 minutes<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Young athletes often fantasize about competing in the Olympics, but very few have the opportunity. That dream could become reality, however, for Georgi Ivanov, assistant coach for Maryville\u2019s NCAA Division II wrestling team and an assistant in the University\u2019s admissions office.<\/p>\n

In September, Ivanov will represent Bulgaria in the wrestling World Championships, a qualifying tournament for next summer\u2019s Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so happy and honored,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ivanov has wrestled since age three when his father, a coach, got him started. \u201cBulgaria has a rich history in the sport of wrestling,\u201d Ivanov says. \u201cIt\u2019s a big tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Ivanov moved to the U.S. nine years ago. He wrestled at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for Coach Mike Denney, who is now in his fourth season coaching Maryville\u2019s wrestling team. After finishing his education at Boise State two years ago, Ivanov moved to St. Louis to assist his former coach.<\/p>\n

Ivanov, who has never stopped wrestling, doubled his weekly training sessions this year from five to 10 to prepare for competition. He recently won the national wrestling tournament in Bulgaria, allowing him to compete on the world stage next month. If Ivanov places in the top five, Bulgaria automatically earns a spot in the Olympics for the 74kg (163 lb.) weight class. While it\u2019s likely Bulgaria would then pick Ivanov to compete, he wouldn\u2019t know for certain until a month before the games.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the support from Maryville University, I\u2019m able to go for my goals and compete,\u201d he says. \u201cI want to see how far I can go with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

To keep up with Ivanov’s performance at the wrestling World Championships next month, follow him on Twitter<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> at @BUL_Nightmare.<\/p>\n