- COACHES
LOKOMOTIV | SOFIA
Biography
Read about:
LOKOMOTIV | SOFIA
Katrin
Velkova
President and Head Coach
- SPECIALIZATION
- Developing Elite Athletic Skills
- Working with individual and group competitors
- Sports Training Teacher - 153 Sports School "Neofit Rilski"
- EDUCATION
Institution:
Graduated from 166 Secondary School "Vasil Levski"
Institution:
Graduated from the National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" with a specialization in rhythmic gymnastics coaching
Institution:
Student at NSA "Vasil Levski" with a specialization in Sports Management – Master's degree
- QUALIFICATIONS
Additional certificates for completed courses at the Bulgarian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, including:
- Lecturer for Initial Training in Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Preparatory stage for Junior and Pre-Junior (under 10) categories
- Healthy lifestyle for all
- Important aspects of preparing and presenting ensembles
- Modern requirements and trends in rhythmic gymnastics
- Coaching course related to the new rules 2025-2028 in Larnaca /Cyprus/ by the Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee of European Gymnastics and the Cyprus Federation
- QUALITIES
Demanding
Dedicated and ambitious
Requires order and discipline
Creative
Desire for development
Inquisitive
- HOBBIES
- Astrology
- Travel
- Photography
- Fashion
- Bon vivant
- Achievements as a Competitor
2012
European Vice-Champion and bronze medalist with the Bulgarian ensemble at the European Championship in Nizhny Novgorod in 2012.
2011
World Champion and winner of 2 bronze medals with the Bulgarian ensemble at the World Championship in Montpellier in 2011.
2010
Bronze medalist at the World Championship in Moscow in 2010.
2012
Finalist at the 2012 London Olympic Games with the Bulgarian ensemble.
- Achievements as a Coach
- Personal coach of one of the first athletes of Rhythmic Gymnastics Club "Lokomotiv" Sofia – Radina Tomova, who started in individual competition as part of the Bulgarian National Team (juniors), and subsequently became part of the Bulgarian National Women's Ensemble, with which she won the Absolute World and European titles in 2022 and 2023.
- National Champion in Children's age group 2019
- Vice National Champion in "Elite" category, Junior age group 2020.
- Vice National Champion in Children's age group, hoop final – 2022
- Vice National Champion in Junior age group – 2024
- National Champion in Pre-Junior age group, clubs final – 2024
- Vice National Champion in Pre-Junior age group, ribbon final – 2024
- Athletes in the "Future Stars", "Project Olympic Team", and "Olympic Hopes" units – from 2018 to 2024.
- Coach of individual and ensemble athletes who placed in the top 8 at National Championships in Elite category, A category, and international tournaments.
- INTERESTING: INTERVIEW
01.
What qualities should a competitor have?
- For an athlete to be successful in the gym or in life, they must combine physical preparation with inner resilience and values.
- Motivation – the inner fire that drives them to train, develop, and never give up.
- Perseverance – success comes to those who don't give up even in difficult moments.
- Diligence – talent is just the beginning. Effort is what makes the difference.
- Physical qualities – strength, speed, endurance, coordination – everything is built with time and work.
- Mental resilience – the ability to maintain concentration and composure under pressure.
- Confidence – belief in one's own abilities, even when results are not yet visible.
- Good communication and teamwork – the ability to listen to and understand others, to support and maintain team spirit.
- An athlete is not just someone who participates in a competition – they are someone who grows with every challenge.
02.
What is a champion's character?
-
Difficult! A champion's character is defined by will and determination, discipline and persistence in effort, and respect for the process that leads to great victories. A champion is not just the one with the medal – but the one who inspires with their effort, perseverance, and character. They must be motivated, brave, combative, goal-oriented, and ready to make efforts and sacrifices to achieve their goals.
"A champion is someone who gets up when they can't." — Jack Dempsey
03.
What quality do you value most in a person?
- Honesty. This is the quality I value most. A sincere and truthful person inspires trust and respect. Honesty is the foundation of strong relationships and successful cooperation.
- DIPLOMA
- LOKOMOTIV | SOFIA
Coaching &
my gymnasts
We work with experienced coaches, certified in a methodology tailored to the age and needs of each child. We believe that success is built with attention, patience, and inspiration.
- CAREERS
Join
our family
- Coaches and Assistant Coaches
We need energetic and motivated professionals to join our team as a rhythmic gymnastics coach and assistant coach.
If you share our passion for sports and wish to be part of our team, we look forward to your application!
