Maria Gigova (Bulgarian: Мария Гигова) (born April 24, 1947) is a Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast. She was the first gymnast to become a triple world champion in rhythmic gymnastics with her titles in 1969, 1971, and 1973. Gigova has a total of four gold medals in hoop (1967, 1969, 1971 and 1973), an achievement still unmatched by any other gymnast, as well as one title in ribbon (1971), rope (1969) and free exercise (1969). As a member of the Bulgarian Team, she also earned team titles at the rhythmic gymnastics world championships in 1969 and 1971.

Gigova retired from gymnastics in 1974. After she finished her education at the National Sports Academy in Sofia, She became a member of the FIG Technical Committee, a post she held from 1978 to 1992. In 1978 she was appointed vice-president of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, to become the federation's president in 1982. Gigova served on the Administrative Council of the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation from 1989 to 1999 when she was elected president of the federation again.

Neshka Robeva (Bulgarian: Нешка Робева) (born May 26, 1946) is a Bulgarian former Rhythmic Gymnast and coach.

Born in Rousse, Robeva graduated from the Bulgarian State Choreography School in "Bulgarian Dances" in 1966 and since then had been a member of the Bulgarian national rhythmic gymnastics squad until 1973. She took part in four World Championships. (1967, 1969, 1971, 1973)

In 1974 Robeva graduated from the High Institute for Sports (now National Sports Academy) and started work as a coach at the "Levski-Spartak" club. The same year she was appointed head coach of the Bulgarian National Team and she remained in that position until 1999. This was a very successful period for Bulgarian rhythmic gymnastics. However, Robeva, while given credit for her exceptional work as a coach, was also criticized for imposing too harsh discipline and regimen on her trainees.

In 1988 Neshka was the choreographer and dance producer for the dance in the film Acatamus from the director Georgi Diulgerov. From 1993 until 1997 she was a member of the European Gymnastics Committee. Neshka is currently the president of the Levski rhythmic gymnastics club.

Jordan Jovchev (Bulgarian: Йордан Йовчев) (born February 24, 1973 in Plovdiv) is a Bulgarian gymnast. He lives and trains in Texas, USA.

He won silver in the men's rings at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens with a score of 9.850. According to many observers (Greek and non-Greek alike) and specialists, he deserved to win the gold, instead of Demosthenes Tampakos. In the same Olympic Games Jovtchev won bronze in the men's floor exercise with a score of 9.775. In 2000 Olympics in Sydney he won the bronze on both floor exercise and still rings with 9.787 and 9.762 respectively. He has also won a world championship Bronze in the all around.

Maria Petrova (Bulgarian: Мария Петрова) (born November 13, 1975 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast. She shares the world record for the most individual world all-around rhythmic gymnastics titles of all time and has never placed lower than seventh in any competition in her entire career. 

Career

Petrova began her training at the age of five at the Levski Club in Sofia, Bulgaria coached by Natalia Moravenova. In her first World Championship appearance in 1991, she came second in the team competition after a hoop drop.

Petrova found herself in fifth at the Barcelona Olympics after a penalty of .20 was imposed due to the zipper on the back of her leotard that had broken during her hoop exercise. A few months later, Petrova took second place behind Oksana Kostina and ahead of Larissa Lukyanenko.

In 1993, Petrova performed with her Panovaesque ball to an Indian melody. She also competed in a ribbon excersise, and a small-toss filled clubs routine to Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner". Her final performance to Carmina Burana caused a great crowd ovation. She went on to win the all-around, as well as three more gold medals (ball, hoop, ribbon) and a bronze medal (clubs).

She went on to win one more European title and two more world titles (shared in 1995 with Yekaterina Serebrianskaya), tying her with countrywoman Maria Guigova for the most wins in the latter category. Although she had tried to retire several times after her first World title, Petrova continued competing as a favor to the Bulgarian national team, which was in a rebuilding phase after the Eastern European Communist collapse.

As listed in the Guinness World Records, the most individual world all-around rhythmic gymnastics titles is three and is shared by Bulgarians Maria Petrova (1993, 1994, 1995 shared) and Maria Gigova (1969, 1971, 1973 shared).

She is currently a judge in rhythmic gymanstics.

In 1998 Maria Petrova married Bulgarian soccer player Borislav Mikhailov.

Most Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships Bulgaria has a record nine Rhythmic Gymnastics team titles. They won in 1969, 1971, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 (shared), 1993, and 1995.