Bianka Panova was born on 27th May, 1970, in Sofia, Bulgaria. She was a rhythmic gymnast, which meant that she used apparatus such as balls, strings etc during her performance. Noted for her style, gracefulness and amazing amplitude, she had also accomplished a quadruple pirouette. That was something not yet achieved by even a male ballet dancer.

During an interview, she ever said this :" The most important thing is not to win the Olympics, but to take part. The Olympic games will not only be a great competition, but also a meeting of all the athletes of the World. This will be the greatest contribution toward the friendship of people all over the world. "

Bianka Panova is a normal teenager outside the gym. She said :" I love to watch track and field athletics and karate, to cook and make cakes( and also eat them !). I like music, and our pianists brings us every new hit in the world. I especially love calm and quiet music,but also Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. I read a lot -- evey kind of book. I read Bulgarian poets but also foreign literature."

Career Highlights

• 1985 ~In the world championships in Valladolid, she got 3rd in the all-around and 1st in Ribbon.
• 1986 ~In the European championships in Florence, Italy she got 1st in the all-around.
• 1987~ She was the Bulgarian national champion.
  In the world championships in Varna, Bulgaria, she was 1st in the all-around, the Ribbon, the Hoop, the Clubs and the Rope.
• 1988~ In the European championships in Helsinki, Finland, she got two gold medals and was 4th in the all-around.
  In the Olympics in Seoul she was 4th in the all-around.
• 1987 & 1988 ~She was the winner of the Julieta Shishmanova Cup.

After she retired in 1989, she married Tchavdar Ninov, a physiotherapist. Although she tried to make a comeback in the 1992 Olympics, she did not make it into the National team. If you are a fan of hers, do not have to worry for her because she is now a successful coach in Belgium and is building a strong team and her gymnasts in champions of Belgium.