Svetoslav Topuzov, prominent Bulgarian athletics coach, passes away

Bulgarian athletics and the wider sporting community are mourning the death of Svetoslav Topuzov, a highly respected coach and sports figure. The Bulgarian Athletics Federation officially announced his passing.

Topuzov, born in 1949, was a former national triple jump champion and played a pivotal role in developing the athletics school in Pleven. He was the first coach of Olympic champion Teresa Marinova, who set a world record for athletes under 20 in 1996 under his guidance.

His career included serving as the head coach of the Bulgarian national jumps team, working as a head coach in Dubai, and acting as a chief expert for the Ministry of Youth and Sports for North-Western and Central Northern Bulgaria. He was also the founder of the Pleven athletics club ‘Phoenix 2004’. Beyond track and field, he contributed to the conditioning and development of various athletes, including Olympic karate champion Ivet Goranova.