Bulgaria's Zlateva, Pulev Welcomed Home as Heroes

Sports » LONDON 2012 | August 13, 2012, Monday // 15:29
Bulgaria: Bulgaria's Zlateva, Pulev Welcomed Home as Heroes Bulgaria's top female wrestler Stanka Zlateva left London with tears in her eyes but the welcoming crowd in Sofia has denitifely made her feel better. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's two Olympic medalists – Stanka Zlateva and Tervel Pulev - received loud and wholehearted acclaim as they landed at Sofia airport on Monday.

Some 200 people welcomed with loud applauses the two sportsmen, chanting their names.

Pulev, who grabbed bronze in the boxing tournament of the London Olympics, demonstrated good mood, brandishing his medal.

Zlateva, who failed to redeem herself for the disappointment she suffered four years ago in Beijing and settled for silver again, this time in London, was silent, but the crowd exploded with joy once she appeared at the terminal, her coach Simeon Shterev close by.

Bulgaria's top female wrestler Stanka Zlateva left London with tears in her eyes after Russian Vorobieva dashed her dreams for an Olympic gold.

"I lost, just like I always do," crest-fallen and repenting Zlateva told Bulgarian journalist after she failed to redeem herself for the disappointment she suffered four years ago in Beijing and settled for silver again, this time in London.

"Just when I have no right to make mistakes, I do the biggest mistakes, this is the worst thing."

"This is a big shame and disgrace, but there is no going back. I will have to carry my cross."

Asked about what she is planning to do next, Zlateva said that she will take a rest, but the tears overwhelmed her and asking the reporters to excuse her, headed for the dressing room sobbing.

Natalia Vorobieva of Russia dashed Bulgaria's dreams for a gold medal, even though Zlateva was in great shape and showed perfect tactics in the first part of the game.

Zlateva looked on course to improve on her silver medal from Beijing when she took the opening round by a single point.

However, Vorobieva pinned the world number one in the second round to clinch the gold medal.

This is the second Olympic silver medal in Zlateva's fabulous career, which however lacks Olympic gold only. This is also the first distinction gained for Bulgaria in the Olympic Games in London.

The five-time world wrestling champion reached the 72 kilograms freestyle finals of the Olympic Games on what could have proved to be one of the most successful days after winning over Spain's Maider Unda.

Earlier in the day Zlateva defeated Jenny Fransson of Sweden convincingly 3:0 after winning against world bronze medalist Vasilisa Marzaliuk of Belarus in a tough opening match up.

In an incredible run of victories Zlateva beat Annabel Laure Ali (Cameroon) 3-1.

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Tags: summer Olympics, wrestler, wrestling, London Olympics, Stanka Zlateva, Olympic Games, London 2012, Tervel Pulev

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