NSA sends off a star-studded graduating class
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09 October 2025  On October 9, at a solemn ceremony at the National Sports Academy „Vasil Levski“, nearly 300 graduates received their bachelor's and master's diplomas. Among them stood out many emblematic athletes. „The choice you made is the right one. From now on, the future is ahead of you, because the National Sports Academy, in its more than 80-year existence, has proven to be the university of the successful. You have taken a very important step toward that success by obtaining your academic degree. I wish you today to feel the joy and satisfaction of your own achievements!“ said NSA Rector Prof. Krassimir Petkov in his welcome address. As per tradition, the distinguished athletes of the class received their diplomas personally from the Rector. Among the bachelor's graduates were the world-famous circus acrobat Encho Keryazov, currently Deputy Mayor of Yambol Municipality; world shotokan karate champion Valentin Georgiev – winner of the title „NSA Athlete of the Year 2022“; one of Bulgaria's top goalkeepers Svetoslav Vutsov; and European freestyle wrestling vice-champion Mikyay Naim. Due to training commitments, some could not attend, including Bulgaria’s most successful ski jumper Vladimir Zografsky; two-time European kickboxing and taekwondo ITF champion Katrin Gemkova; tennis player Dimitar Kuzmanov; and footballer Preslav Borukov – player of the Portuguese club „Maritimo“, among others. Emblematic athletes also graduated in the NSA master’s programs. World snowboard star Alexandra Zhekova-Peev completed the „Sports Psychology“ program; world taekwondo WTF championship medalist Vladimir Dalakliev (5.87 GPA) graduated in „Sports Management“; and Nadezhda Aleksieva, one of Bulgaria’s most successful biathletes, winner of one silver and two bronze medals from world championships, completed the „Sport, Fitness, and Health“ program. NSA Rector Prof. Krassimir Petkov also presented diplomas to the top-performing graduates of the three faculties. Among the bachelor's graduates, the top students were: Denislava Georgieva (GPA 5.90) – Faculty of Sports, Snezhana Mitova (GPA 5.93) – Faculty of Pedagogy, and Yoanna Angelova (GPA 5.82) – Faculty of Public Health, Health Care, and Tourism. The top master's graduates were again three ladies: Mirela Georgieva (6.00) – „Sports Psychology“ program at the Faculty of Sports; Mishel Huebner (6.00) – „SPA Culture, Eastern and Aqua Practices“ program at the Faculty of Public Health, Health Care, and Tourism; and Yordanka Dimitrova (5.98) – „Youth Activities and Sport“ program at the Faculty of Pedagogy. The ceremony was hosted by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Hristo Andonov, and diplomas were presented by the deans and deputy deans: Assoc. Prof. Emil Atanasov and Assoc. Prof. Ivan Slavchev – Faculty of Sports; Assoc. Prof. Vera Antonova and Assoc. Prof. Todor Marinov – Faculty of Pedagogy; Prof. Nikolay Popov and Assoc. Prof. Krastyo Zgurovski – Faculty of Public Health, Health Care, and Tourism. Hundreds of photos captured the memorable ceremony, as the academic leadership, family, and friends wished the graduates success and inspiration on their journey toward their desired professional realization. Download the photos from the links below. The links will be active until October 16, 2025. https://dox.abv.bg/download?id=1124654f32 |
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