Hristiyan Stoyanov

Started: He took up the sport in 2010 in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. (Athlete, 20 Aug 2021) Reason: He met an athletics coach at an inter-school competition, who offered to train him. He initially took part in non-Para athletics competitions before focusing on Para athletics with the aim of competing at the Paralympic Games. "It can be said that athletics chose me. From a young age I watched such competitions on television, which attracted me a lot and gradually I liked the sport, so I started doing it." (duma.bg, 07 Feb 2020; viasport.bg, 04 Mar 2017; wishbox.org, 09 Feb 2015) Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (actualno.com, 05 Jan 2024) Milestones: At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo he became the first Bulgarian to win a Paralympic athletics medal outside of throwing or jumping events. He claimed silver in the men's T46 1500m in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Jul 2024) He became the first Para athlete representing Bulgaria to win a medal in the 1500m [any classification] at the world championships when he claimed bronze in the T46 event at the 2017 edition in London, England. Two years later he became the first Bulgarian Para athlete to win a world championship gold medal over 1500m when he was victorious at the 2019 edition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (SportsDeskOnline, 08 Apr 2021) Awards: He was presented with the Para Athlete of the Year award for 2019 and 2023 at the Bulgarian Athlete of the Year Awards. (epochtimes.bg, 05 Jan 2024; blitz.bg, 04 Jan 2024; dariknews.bg, 20 Dec 2019; b1b.tv, 19 Dec 2019) He received the Sports Icarus Award from the Bulgarian Sports Foundation in 2019. (dariknews.bg, 20 Dec 2019; b1b.tv, 19 Dec 2019; kz7.bg, 15 Dec 2019) In 2016, 2017, and 2018 he was named Athlete of the Year in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. (gabrovonews.bg, 22 Dec 2018, 21 Dec 2017, 22 Dec 2016)