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
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
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]
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