Iliana Raeva was born on 15 March 1963 in Sofia with an ... - UEG

<strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong> <strong>was</strong> <strong>born</strong> on 15 March 1963
in Sofia with an innate talent and a
distinct leadership. She made a glorious
career at all rhythmic gymnastics levels:
competitor, coach and leader at high
positions!
The „Golden girl” of the Bulgarian rhythmic
gymnastics <strong>was</strong> a competitor of the RG Club “Levski”
with Zlatka Boncheva and Neshka Robeva as
coaches. In <strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong>’s collection there are about
280 medals, 100 of them from international
competitions.
In 1978 she first appeared at the European
Championships in Madrid, Spain and ranked at the 6 th place in the All-around.
At the World Championships in London, Great Britain a year later, in 1979, she
ranked at the 4 th place in the All-around and won a silver medal on Ball and a
bronze medal on Clubs.
In 1980 at the European Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands she won the
gold medal in the All-around and gold medals on Rope, Hoop and Clubs, as well as
a silver medal on Ribbon.
In 1981 at the World Championships in Munich, FRG she ranked 2 nd in the Allaround
and won a silver medal on Hoop and Ribbon, and a bronze medal on Rope.
In 1982 at the European Championships in Stavanger, Norway she won a bronze
medal in the All-around and bronze medals on Rope, Hoop, Clubs and Ribbon.
A total of 19 medals from World and European
Championships.

On 11 th December 1983 <strong>Iliana</strong>
<strong>Raeva</strong> married the football legend
Nasko Sirakov. They have two
daughters – Slaveya and Violeta.
On 16 th December 1993 <strong>Iliana</strong>
<strong>Raeva</strong> opened one of the most
successful RG clubs in Bulgaria
called after her name “<strong>Iliana</strong>”.
Less than a year later, at a
tournament in Hanover the Group
of the club “blew out” the hall and the future champions became the undisputed
favorite gymnasts of the audience. “<strong>Iliana</strong>” is the first private RG club in
Bulgaria.
During the first five months the gymnasts of the club won a total of 22 gold, 12
silver, and 7 bronze medals from national championships.
In its twenty-year history the RG Club “<strong>Iliana</strong>” prepared many gymnasts - world
champions, bronze medalists from the Olympic Games in Athens. Its competitors
won a great number of medals from World, European and National
Championships, and World Cups in all ages and categories. The club formed as well
coaches for the national teams.
In 2000 <strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong> leaded the team at the Olympic Games in Sydney.
<strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong> is the only and major initiator for the organization of the first World
Cups in Sofia – in 2001 and 2002.
In 2004, according to the decision of the Executive
Committee, she became head coach of the Individual and
Group National Teams, and in five months she took the

Group girls to the bronze medal at the Olympic
Games in Athens.
In 2004 <strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong> <strong>was</strong> elected Vice President of
BRGF.
<strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong> <strong>was</strong> a member of the Executive
Committee of BRGF for three terms.
She <strong>was</strong> President of the of Coaches’ Committee of
the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
Since 2009 she is head coach of the national teams
and senior coach of the Senior Group.
At the World Championships in Montpellier her Group gymnasts won the bronze
medal in the All-around and qualified for the Olympic Games in London 2012. At
these championships they won as well a gold medal on Hoops and Ribbons, and a
bronze medal for their routine with five Balls.
The coach and her gymnasts are proud of their remarkable medal collection and
national and international prizes.
<strong>Iliana</strong> <strong>Raeva</strong> thrives with the same style in her career as a gymnast,
coach and leader - fascinating, bold and unique!