Stiliana Nikolova is a promising rhythmic gymnasts from Bulgaria. She is the current 2020 European Junior champion with ribbon and silver medalist with ball. This year, she is already competing in senior level, looking forward to qualify for Tokyo Olympic Games.

When did you start doing rhythmic gymnastics?.

My mother is a coach, so I grow up in the gym. I was always playing around with apparatus and looking to the other girls as they were stars. My mum is my inspiration and I would like to be like her. She is twice world European Champion.. I started doing gymnastics at four years old.

How do you calm down before competitions?

I get really nervous before competitions, but I need to manage all this stress. I even cry before competitions. I try to open to myself but sometimes it doesn’t work.

My mother was twice European Champion and World Champion

Which is your favorite apparatus?

I like all my routines, but my favorite one is clubs, especially my clubs 2021 exercise.

Do you like the current code of points in rhythmic gymnastics?

Not really, if I could do it, I’ll change all those throwing and catching. I would rather prefer to have more artistic and body difficulty. I feel like we are in the circus right now. I would also add more rhythmic steps.

Is your family living with you?

I was born in Cairo, Egypt, and my family is living over there. I have a lot of friends from Egypt and even if they are not living in Bulgaria, I feel that they close to me.