Hobbies
Reading, listening to music, dancing, going to the cinema with friends. (gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015)
Occupation
Athlete
Spoken languages
Bulgarian, English, French, Greek, Russian
Coach
Aliya Garayeva [national], AZE (gymnast.gr, 25 Jul 2015)
Sporting relatives
Her mother Eleonora Marinova competed at national level in gymnastics. (gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015; imerisia.gr, 08 Jun 2013)
Injuries
A viral infection forced her to miss the 2016 Alina Kabaeva Champions Cup in Moscow, Russia. (gymnastics.gr, 19 Feb 2016)
Start sporting career
She took up the sport at age seven. (gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015)
Reason for taking up the sport
"I went with my mother and I had tried gymnastics before but I wasn't interested. So I went for two months by force and I was told to try rhythmic, I started it and I enjoyed it. The minute I walked into the gym I saw a girl doing ribbon. Immediately I said that I would do this sport." (gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015)
Hero / Idol
Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Anna Bessonova. (imerisia.gr, 08 Jun 2013)
Most influential person in career
Her mother. (gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015)
Philosophy / Motto
"It is a very difficult sport and can get lonely. You need a great will to do rhythmic." (imerisia.gr, 08 Jun 2013)
Additional information
General
TRAINING IN RUSSIA
Due to the economic hardship in Greece, she has had to search elsewhere to maximise her training opportunities. She travels often between Greece and Russia. "Basically I live and train in Moscow. I live there and I prepare, together with the national team of Russia. I'm lucky because my parents were always there for me to support my choices and guide me." (gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015)
EDUCATION
She says she found it difficult sacrificing school and time with friends for rhythmic gymnastics, but that it has given her important life lessons. "Through my efforts and my struggles I believe that I have been given more opportunities to understand myself and life, than if I had chosen to follow school. The experiences I have from travelling the world are as great as school. I did not go out with my friends, because I was training and had to sleep early, but I do not regret anything. Instead, I consider myself lucky and I thank my parents who showed me the way, how I must be faithful in my goals. I do not regret anything, I am proud of what I do." (imerisia.gr, 08 Jun 2013; gazzetta.gr, 22 Mar 2015)
Last update : 2016-09-23
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