164 Activities in Physical Education and Sport 2016, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 164-168 BULGARIAN NATIONAL FENCING COMPETITIONS WITH SABRE FOR 1976 AS A CONTRIBUTION TO ADEQUATE HISTORICAL RESEARCH (Preliminary communication) Milen Nikolaev Chalakov National Sports Academy Vassil Levski Sofia, Bulgaria Abstract This article aims to analyze the results of the competitions for men s sabre - individually and team which took part at the national competitions in Bulgaria in 1976. Also in the article we consider the distribution of awards between the four clubs participating in competitions. The main purpose of this article is to trace and analyze the conducted in 1976 sabre competitions for pioneers, juniors, cadets and men, involving some of the biggest names in Bulgarian fencing. Through the performed analysis, we track the development of Bulgarian fencers in sabre and future champions. Also, the article provides a good informative material for the development of fencing clubs in Bulgaria in 1976 and the competitors that they prepare. Through this article we want to remind ourselves on part of Bulgarian fencing history and the names of our fencers who have achieved significant success at national and the world fencing scenes. The survey of 1976. represents an interesting material for Bulgarian sabre because this is a generation of talented Bulgarian fencers who four years later at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 succeed to present Bulgarian fencing school and to raise it to highest level. This is a success that has no analogue. Keywords: fencing, sabre sport, Bulgarian fencing history INTRODUCTION The sabre is one of three weapons used in fencing, together with the foil and epee. Its weigh is 500 grams and the length is 105 centimeters (Nojarov (Ножаров), 1986; Rvenu, (1967). Through chronological analysis of the information sources, the personal archive of Nikolai Genov and newspaper National sport volume 632 of 05/01/1950 we found that first fencing competition with a sabre under the auspices of the Republican section of fencing was conducted on 28 and 29 April 1950 at Stadium National Army (Petkov (Петков), 2009a). Participants were 20 men and 5 women from 6 clubs - Dynamo, Akademik, Stroitel, Cherveno Zname, Torpedo and National Army (Petkov (Петков), 2009b). In December 1950, in the Sports Hall of Boulevard Slivnitsa 186 in Sofia was organized the first National Championship of sabre for men (Petkov (Петков, 2008). In 1951 started the creation of local centers for the development of fencing in Plovdiv, Pleven, Bourgas and Stara Zagora (Petkov (Петков, 2007). In November 1951 for the first time was organized Teams National Championship for men s sabre and women s rapier (Petkov (Петков, 2013). The Individual National Championship in 1951 began on December 22, and in its program for the first time were included adolescents who competed in the sabre. In that championship for sabre took part 12 adolescents and 17 men (Bardareva, Ivanova, & Nojarov, (Бърдарева, Иванова, & Ножаров, 2002). Conducted fencing matches were on a high competitive level, but the championship is accompanied by a series of scandals and arguments with the judges and the failure of competitors of Akademik is reprehensible, according to the press at the time (Taishler (Тышлер, 1983). Development and strengthening of the authority of the Bulgarian sabre is related to the work of the coach Nikolai Svechnikov. Assen Diakovski, Boris Stavrev and Zheko Spiridonov marked the first participation of Bulgarian national team in the World Cup, Budapest, 1959 (Chalakov (Чалъков, 2015). Their successors are Konstantin Dzhelepov, Mikhail Dudekov and Stoycho Lipchev. Later Nikolay Mateev and Marin Ivanov are joined in Bulgarian national team. This led to the Fabulous Five of Bulgarian sabre: Vasil and Hristo Etropolski, Marin Ivanov, Nikolay Marincheshki and George Chomakov (Bardareva, (Бърдарева ), 2008). The analyzed period - 1976 represents an interesting material for Bulgarian sabre because this is a generation of talented Bulgarian fencers. Four years later at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 they present
BULGARIAN NATIONAL FENCING COMPETITIONS WITH... 165 Bulgarian fencing school and it is raised to the Greater heights. This is a success that has no analogue in the sport history (Koroleva, Королева, (1990). In this article we look chronologically at the fencing competitions for pioneers, juniors, cadets and men s saber conducted in Bulgaria in 1976. Following the established order, we will trace each competition conducted during the year (individual and team) and we will mark and analyze each one of them (Petkov (Петков), 2013). Purpose of the study: 1. Tracking in chronological order all the sabre competitions conducted in Republic of Bulgaria in 1976; 2. To identify best players of the season; 3. To establish clubs with the most podiums and medals; 4. To create a database of players and clubs - how many of players from each club are in top ten for 1976. 5.To track the distribution of awards from team and individual events. RESULTS In 1976 in Republic of Bulgaria were conducted a total of nineteen tournaments, thirteen of them individual competitions and six of them team competitions. In individual events 480 competitors participated. In team events participated 12 fencing clubs - Botev Novi Pazar, Volov Shumen, Trakia Plovdiv, Spartak Pleven, Dunav Ruse, Akademik, CSKA Sofia, Slavia Sofia, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, RSC Spartak Varna (Petkov, (Петков. 2013). The participants in the competition were divided into four age groups - pioneers, juniors, cadets and men (Boyadzhiev, & Petkov (Бояджиев, & Петков, 2001). In 1976 are conducted four sabre events for pioneers: 1. Republican tournament for pioneers of sabre city of Plovdiv 20 and 21 March 1976-48 participants. 2. Republican tournament for pioneers of sabre - 24 Table 1. For pioneers with sabre fencing includes 9 clubs Republican Championship for pioneers of sabre 28 and 30 June 1976 - city of Sofia 1 Trakia Plovdiv 6 Botev Novi Pazar 9 Spartak Pleven 2 CSKA 5 P. Volov Shumen 8 Beroe Stara Zagora 4 Slavia 3 RSC Spartak Varna 7 Dunav Ruse and 25 April 1976 city of Varna - 47 3. Republican Championship for pioneers of sabre 28 and 30 June 1976 - city of Sofia - 42 participants. 1. Republican Championship for pioneers of sabre 28 and 30 June 1976 - city of Sofia. 137 fencers participate in individual events. Individual competition results are in the author of the paper. In team events for pioneers with sabre fencing includes 9 clubs, which are shown in Table 1. In 1976 in Republic of Bulgaria are conducted three competitions for juniors of sabre. They are: 1. Republican tournament in city of Plovdiv - sabre - 15 years old juniors 19 27 November 1976-38 2. Republican Championship for juniors - sabre - 4 6 July 1976 - city of Sofia - 34 participants. 1. Republican Championship for juniors - sabre - 4 6 July 1976 - city of Sofia. 72 fencers, participate in individual events. Individual competition results are in the author of the paper. In team competitions are participating 7 fencing clubs shown in Table 2. Table 2. In team competitions are participating 7 fencing clubs National Championship for juniors - sabre - 4-6.07.1976 city of Sofia 2 CSKA 3 RSC Spartak Varna 1 Slavia 4 Dunav Ruse 5 Trakia Plovdiv 6 P. Volov Shumen 7 Spartak Pleven In Republic of Bulgaria in 1976 are conducted seven sabre events for cadets. These are: 1. Republican Championship for cadets - sabre April 5-8 1976 in Akademik hall - 33 2. Cup Bulgaria for cadets sabre - in city of Sofia January 10-11 1976-45 3. Urban Championship for cadets up to 18 years old - sabre March 20 21 1976 in city of Sofia - 19 4. Republican tournament in city of Ruse up to 19 years old - sabre December 25 26 1976-40 5. Republican tournament in the city of Sofia cadets up to 19 years old - sabre November 19 27 1976-34 participants.
166 M. N. Chalakov 1. Republican Championship for cadets of sabre April 5 8 1976 in Akademik hall; 2. Cup Bulgaria for cadets sabre - in city of Sofia January 10-11 1976. 171 fencers participate in individual competitions. Individual competition results are in the author of the paper. In team events, participating 6 fencing club shown in Table 3. In 1976 in Republic of Bulgaria conducted three individual and two team events for sabre for men. These are: 1. Republican Championship men s sabre - May 07-09 1976 - Round 2-39 2. Cup Bulgaria men s sabre October 30 31 1976 in city of Sofia - 33 3. May tournament of CSKA May 01-02 1976 - sabre men - 28 participants. 1. Republican Championship - men s sabre May 07-09 1976 - final team standings; 2. Cup Bulgaria men s sabre October 30 31 Table 3. In team events, participating 6 fencing club National Championship for cadets 05-08.04.1976, the hall Academic Cup Bulgaria for cadets in the city Sofia - 10-11.01.1976 1 Trakia Plovdiv 1 Trakia - Plovdiv 2 Slavia 2 Slavia - Sofia 4 RSC Spartak Varna 3 CSKA - Sofia 5 Spartak Pleven 3 CSKA 6 Dunav Ruse 1976 in city of Sofia. 100 fencers participate in individual fencing matches. Individual competition results are in the author of the paper. In team matches, participating 9 fencing club shown in Table 4. Table 4. In team matches, participating 9 fencing club National Championship - men s sabre - on 9.05.1976 - team second round. Final team standings National Championship - men s sabre - on 9.05.1976 - Round II CUP Bulgaria - men s sabre - 30-10.31.1976 city Sofia 1 Akademik 32 pt. 1 Akademik 16 pt. 1 Akademik 14 pt. 2 CSKA 28 pt. 2 CSKA 14 pt. 2 CSKA 41 pt. 3 Slavia 24 pt. 3 Slavia 12 pt. 3 Slavia 64 pt. 4 Trakia Plovdiv 20 pt. 4 Trakia Plovdiv 10 pt. 4 SU Kliment. Ohridski 80 pt. 5 RSC Spartak Varna 14 pt. 95 wins 5 SU Kliment. Ohridski 8 pt. 5 Trakia Plovdiv 84 pt. 6 SU St. Kliment Ohridski 14 pt. 91 wins 6 Dunav Ruse 6 pt. 6 Volov Shumen 140 pt. 7 Dunav Ruse 2 pt. 7 RSC Spartak Varna 4 pt. 7 RSC Spartak Varna 96 pt. 8 Volov Shumen 2 pt. 44 wins 8 Spartak Pleven 2 pt. 9 Spartak Pleven 2 pt. 27 wins 9 Volov Shumen 0 pt. Table 5. Individuals ranking men s sabre for 1976 Sabre - Men Rank - leaves 10 best men in saber 1 M. Dudekov Akademik 72.5 pt. 1 M. Dudekov Akademik 84.5pt. 2 Hr. Hristov CSKA 28 pt. 2 Hr. Hristov CSKA 43 pt. 3 Tr. Dimitrov Akademik 25 pt. 3 Tr. Dimitrov Akademik 31 pt. 4 A. Mikhailov CSKA 24.5 pt. 4 A. Mikhailov CSKA 24.5pt. 5 K. Dzhelepov Akademik 23 pt. 5 K. Dzhelepov Akademik 23 pt. 6 N. Spiridonov Slavia 19.5 pt. 6 N. Spiridonov Slavia 19 pt.s 7 J. Spiridonov Akademik 18 pt. 7 J. Spiridonov Akademik 18 pt. 8 Kr. Ganchev Akademik 17.5 pt. 8 Kr. Ganchev Akademik 17.5 pt. 9 V. Sheev Dunav Ruse 7.5 pt. 9 V. Sheev Dunav Ruse 7.5 pt. 10 Hr. Etropolski Slavia 7. 5pt. 10 Hr. Etropolski Slavia 7.5 pt.
BULGARIAN NATIONAL FENCING COMPETITIONS WITH... 167 Table 6. All clubs that participated in the tournaments conducted in 1976 Team / Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 RSC Spartak Varna 2 1 1 1 Dunav Ruse 1 1 2 Slavia - Sofia 1 2 2 1 Beroe Stara Zagora 1 Trakia Plovdiv 3 1 2 Botev Novi Pazar 1 Spartak Pleven 1 1 2 CSKA - Sofia 4 2 P. Volov Shumen 1 2 1 Akademik 2 SU Kliment Ohridski 1 1 In individual competitions for sabre in 1976 were participated pioneers, juniors, cadets and men. The following is presenting the final results of our fencers achieved at national competitions of Republic of Bulgaria. The achievements are arranged in chronological order of the tournaments according to the dates they were organized. The presented ranking is relating to the individual and team rivalry. Individuals ranking on Table 5. we pointed men s sabre rankings for 1976 and ten best men in Bulgaria for the same year, together with the clubs they represent. Table 6. shows all clubs that participated in the tournaments conducted in 1976 and team ranking of each of the clubs for 1976. Figure 1. shows the results of the season by ranking for men s sabre, which are arranged by the clubs they represent. Figure 2. shows the results of the top ten men s sabre for the season, which are arranged by the clubs they represent. Table 7. and Figure 3. shows the distribution of individual and team awards. Table 7. Distribution of team awards Clubs Team awards RSC Spartak - Varna 2 Dunav Ruse 0 Slavia - Sofia 5 Beroe Stara Zagora 0 Trakia Plovdiv 3 Botev Novi Pazar 0 Spartak Pleven 0 CSKA - Sofia 6 P. Volov Shumen 0 Akademik 2 SU Kliment Ohridski 0. Figure 3. Figure 1. Figure 2. CONCLUSIONS - In conclusion we have found evidences showing that in the surveyed year the number of people who practice fencing with a saber was increasing. -The large number of young athletes who practice fencing was contributing to increased competitiveness in the individual contest and respectively for the competition between the clubs. This in turn causes an increased internal competitiveness which led to the increasing of the level of skills of the competitors with a sabre. - Distribution of medals from competitions in 1976 among the 10 best athletes is only between four clubs. With highest number of medals are competitors of Akademik, followed by CSKA and Slavia and Dunav Ruse at fourth place. The conclusions that can be made based on the ranking we made are that the Akademik
168 M. N. Chalakov Sports Club conducted a proper and successful training process which is evident by the fencers in the top 10. The other clubs - CSKA and Slavia also succeed to conduct correct training process as the competitors of CSKA have a good performance in fighting against the competitors from Slavia. - CSKA were leading position in team distribution of awards, followed by Slavia and Trakia Plovdiv. Akademiк and RSC Spartak Varna took the fourth place but Akademiк performs better because they had two firsts in team competitions. The earned awards are a prerequisite for good performance of the competitors of CSKA during the entire season. Dunav Ruse, Beroe Stara Zagora, Botev Novi Pazar, Spartak Pleven, P.Volov Shumen and SU Kliment Ohridski have no earned prizes and medals. - In individual competition, the awards are divided between CSKA and Akademik, two won medals from athletes of Akademik against one medal won by CSKA. - We can conclude that the players of Akademik have the best performance of the season. REFERENCES Бърдарева, Р., К., Иванова, П. & Ножаров. (2002). Фехтовката в България [Fencing in Bulgaria. In Bulgarian.] София: ТИП-ТОП прес. Бърдарева, Р. (2008). История на Олимпийското движение [History of the Olympic Movement. In Bulgarian.] София: ПК Димитър Благоев ООД. Бояджиев, Д., & Петков, К. (2001). Ефективност на фехтовалните действия в боя на сабя [Effectiveness of fencing actions in the battle of sabre. In Bulgarian.] Спорт и наука, 45(2), 45-48. Чалъков, М. (2015). Турнирите по фехтовка на всички оръжия, проведени в Народна Република България между 1976г. и 1978г. [Fencing tournaments of all weapons held in the People s Republic of Bulgaria between 1976 and 1978. In Bulgarian.] София: НСА - прескоролева, А. П., (1990). История фехтования фехтование в древном мире и в средние века [The History of fencing fencing in the ancient world and the Middle Ages. In Russian.] Москва: ЗАО Центрполиграф. Ножаров, Н.(1986). Фехтовката в България (1878-1944) [Fencing in Bulgaria (1878-1944). In Bulgarian.] Въпроси на физическата култура, (3), 56-62. Петков, Кр. (2009a). Ретроспекция на държавните първенства по фехтовка със сабя в България от тяхната поява (1950 1959 г.) [Analysis of national championships fencing with a sabre in the period 1950-1952 years. In Bulgarian.] Спорт и наука, 53(Извънр. бр. 2), 128-132. Петков, Кр.(2009b). Анализ на републиканските първенства по фехтовка със сабя в периода 1950 1952г. [Analysis of national championships fencing with a sabre in the period 1950-1952 years.in Bulgarian.] Спорт и наука, 53(Извънр. бр. 2), 83-90. Петков, Кр. (2008). Институционализиране и поява на държавните първенства по фехтовка в България [Institutionalization and occurrence of state championships fencing in Bulgarian.] Спорт и наука,52(6), 104-111. Петков, К. Личен архив [Personal archive. In Bulgarian.]. Петков, Кр. (2007). Личността на треньора по фехтовка в българската действителност [The personality of the fencing coach in Bulgarian reality. In Bulgarian.] Спорт и наука, 51(5), 65-71. Петков, Кр. (2013a). Държавните първенства и състезанията за купа България по фехтовка мъже и жени, в република България след края на втората световна война до 1989 г. [State championships and competitions Cup Bulgaria Fencing - men and women in the Republic of Bulgaria after the end of World War II until 1989. In Bulgarian.] София: НСА - прес. Петков, Кр. (2013b). Изследване и анализ на разпределението на медалите при рапира мъже за периода 1957 2011г. в Световните първенства по фехтовка [Research and analysis of the distribution of medals at foil - men for the period 1957-2011 in the World Championships in fencing. In Bulgarian.] Спорт и наука, 57(Извънр. бр. 1), 195-203. Петков, Кр. (2013c). Фехтовка, методика на обучение [Fencing, methodology of training. In Bulgarian.] София: НСА - прес. Rvenu, D. (1967). Les leçons de la Coupe du monde d escrime [Lessons Cup World Fencing. In French.] Paris: Editions Vigot. Тышлер, Д. А. (1983). Фехтовка [Fencing. In Bulgarian.] БФФ, София: (1, 2, 3). Вестник Народен спорт [The Newspaper National sport. In Bulgarian.] 632 of 05/01/1950. Correspondence: Milen Nikolaev Chalakov National Sports Academy Vassil Levski Studentski grad, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria E-mail: M.Chalukov @ gmail.com