WRESTLERS from Bulgaria

Top 10

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Bulgarian Wrestlers of all time. This list of famous Bulgarian Wrestlers is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Bulgarian Wrestlers.

1. Rusev (b. 1984)

With an HPI of 56.39, Rusev is the most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 31 different languages on wikipedia.

Miroslav Petrov Barnyashev (Bulgarian: Мирослав Петров Барняшев, [miroˈslɑf pɛˈtrɔf bɑrˈnjɑʃɛf]; born December 25, 1985) is a Bulgarian professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Rusev. He is also known for his time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2025, under the ring name Miro. In 2010, Barnyashev signed a contract with WWE and was assigned to its developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was rebranded as NXT in 2012. He performed on NXT until 2014, when he and his manager Lana were moved to WWE's main roster. During his initial tenure in WWE, he was a three-time WWE United States Champion. He was released by WWE in April 2020, and debuted in AEW in September of that year, winning the AEW TNT Championship. He departed AEW in February 2025, returning to WWE that April.

2. Valentin Yordanov (b. 1960)

With an HPI of 53.78, Valentin Yordanov is the 2nd most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 19 different languages.

Valentin Dimitrov Yordanov (Bulgarian: Валентин Димитров Йорданов; born January 26, 1960), also transliterated Jordanov, is a retired Bulgarian freestyle wrestler who competed in the up to 52 kg weight class. He is an Olympic gold medalist, seven-time World Champion, seven-time European Champion, and the only wrestler to hold 10 medals (seven gold, two silver and one bronze) from the World Wrestling Championships.

3. Aleksandar Tomov (b. 1949)

With an HPI of 50.84, Aleksandar Tomov is the 3rd most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Aleksandar Tomov Lazarov (Bulgarian: Александър Томов Лазаров, born 3 April 1949) is a former Bulgarian Greco-Roman wrestler, in the heavyweight class. He is in the FILA Hall of Fame as a five-time champion of the World and five-time champion of Europe. He won silver medals at the Olympics in the +100 kg class in 1972, 1976, and 1980.

4. Ali Kayalı (b. 1965)

With an HPI of 47.62, Ali Kayalı is the 4th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Ali Kayalı (born 29 January 1965) formerly known as Ali Aliev and later Kamen Tomov is a Turkish wrestler. He was born in Bulgaria. He was Olympic bronze medalist in Freestyle wrestling in 1992.

5. Stoyan Balov (b. 1960)

With an HPI of 46.27, Stoyan Balov is the 5th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 14 different languages.

Stoyan Balov (Bulgarian: Стоян Балов; born 24 May 1960) is a Bulgarian former wrestler who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.

6. Bratan Tsenov (b. 1964)

With an HPI of 45.59, Bratan Tsenov is the 6th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Bratan Tsenov (Bulgarian: Братан Ценов; born 7 January 1964) is a Bulgarian former wrestler who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics, in the 1992 Summer Olympics, and in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

7. Zhivko Vangelov (b. 1960)

With an HPI of 45.39, Zhivko Vangelov is the 7th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Zhivko Vangelov (Bulgarian: Живко Вангелов) (born 7 July 1960) is a Bulgarian former wrestler who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.

8. Ivan Tsonov (b. 1966)

With an HPI of 45.28, Ivan Tsonov is the 8th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Ivan Tsonov (Bulgarian: Иван Цонов; born 31 July 1966) is a Bulgarian former wrestler who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

9. Stanka Zlateva (b. 1983)

With an HPI of 44.76, Stanka Zlateva is the 9th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  Her biography has been translated into 30 different languages.

Stanka Zlateva Hristova (Bulgarian: Станка Златева Христова; born 1 March 1983 in Krushare, Sliven Province) is a retired female Bulgarian freestyle wrestler. She competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning silver medals in the latter two events. She was named World Female Wrestler of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year in 2007, 2010 and 2011. She was named the BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year in 2010.

10. Serafim Barzakov (b. 1975)

With an HPI of 43.18, Serafim Barzakov is the 10th most famous Bulgarian Wrestler.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Serafim Ivanov Barzakov (Bulgarian: Серафим Иванов Бързаков; born July 22, 1975, in Kolarovo) is a male freestyle wrestler from Bulgaria. He participated in Men's freestyle 66 kg at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Men's freestyle 66 kg at the 2004 Summer Olympics, Men's freestyle 63 kg at the 2000 Summer Olympics and Men's freestyle 57 kg at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He won a silver medal at Men's freestyle 63 kg at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He won a gold medal on 1998 FILA Wrestling World Championships (63kg) and 2001 FILA Wrestling World Championships (63kg). He is also a silver medalist of 2003 FILA Wrestling World Championships (66 kg) and 2005 FILA Wrestling World Championships (66 kg). In 2019, the new sports hall named after Burzakov opened its doors in Petrich.