Yoana Ilieva: Bulgaria's Rising Star in Fencing Gains Global Recognition

Yoana Ilieva, the 23-year-old Bulgarian fencer who claimed first place at the Women’s Sabre World Cup in Plovdiv, shared her thoughts at a press conference on Tuesday, highlighting the growing respect for Bulgarian fencing on the global stage, CE Report quotes BTA

“World fencing now respects us Bulgarians a lot,” Ilieva said, noting that coaches from top teams like France and China have praised her smart play and the achievements of her team. Ilieva shared a striking example of this shift: “The French team congratulated me and said, ‘Bravo, you deserve it.’ That shows how much respect we’ve earned across Europe and the world.”

Ilieva credited her success to the collective efforts of Bulgarian fencing, including her coach Ivaylo Vodenov, fellow athletes, and a dedicated support team of psychologists and physiotherapists. She emphasized the unity within Bulgarian fencing, describing it as a “looming wave” ready to make a global impact.

While thrilled with her individual victory, Ilieva acknowledged the team’s ninth-place finish at the competition and vowed to push for greater success. Reflecting on her journey, she highlighted her motivation to inspire young athletes and to build a strong tradition of fencing in Bulgaria.

Looking ahead, Ilieva is setting her sights on the European Championships in Genoa and the World Championships in Tbilisi later this year. With competitions in Greece, Egypt, and South Korea on her schedule, she remains focused on her ultimate goal: representing Bulgaria at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in both individual and team events.

“Fencing in Bulgaria is growing stronger, and I’m proud to be part of it,” she said.