Mariana Vasileva

Mariana Vasileva-Toteva (Bulgarian: Мариана Василева Тотева, born 6 July 1974 in Bulgaria) is an Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnastics trainer of Bulgarian origin who is the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan and Head coach of the Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.

Mariana Vasileva
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports
Incumbent
Assumed office 29 November 2021
Appointed by	Ilham Aliyev
Minister	Farid Gayibov
Preceded by	Ismayil Ismayilov
Personal details
Born	(1974-07-06) 6 July 1974 (age 50) Targovishte, Bulgaria

Career

Vasileva was a former Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast and worked as a coach in Levski club in Sofia, Bulgaria. In 2007, she received an invitation from the Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation to work as coach, not long after; she relocated in Baku, Azerbaijan with her immediate family (husband and 2 children).^[1] Since 2009, Vasileva has been appointed as head coach of the Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.^[2] In 2013 she received the title of Honored Trainer of Azerbaijan. In 2015, after the successful performance of the national team at the 1st European Games, she was awarded the Honorary Diploma of the President of Azerbaijan. During the coaching period of Mariana Vasileva, the Azerbaijani national team managed to win prizes at the European Championships in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2023. As of 29 November 2021, she is the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan.^[3]

Coaching history and notable students

Vasileva with Marina Durunda at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Since Vasileva's appointment as head coach of Azerbaijan's Rhythmic Gymnastics, Azerbaijan has had international success both in individual and group especially amongst a new generation of gymnasts, notable students include:

• Marina Durunda (born 1997) - multiple World Cup medalist
• Lala Yusifova (born 1996) - 2012, 2013 (Grand Prix Final) medalist
• Zhala Piriyeva (born 2000) - European Junior medalist
• Arzu Jalilova (born 2004) - World and European Junior medalist
• Zohra Aghamirova (born 2001) - Summer Universiade (2019) medalist

Personal life

Mariana Vasileva is a citizen of Azerbaijan^[4] but retains her Bulgarian citizenship.^[5] She speaks Bulgarian, Azerbaijani and Russian.^[5] She is married and has two daughters: Siyana and Valeria.^[6] Siyana Vasileva has competed for the Azerbaijani rhythmic gymnastics team and is the youngest naturalized athlete in the history of the country.^[7]

References

1. "Mariana Vasileva: being a coach taught me to be strong, I was more demanding". Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation.
2. "Mariana Vasileva: Gymnastics in Developing". Azerbaijan Gymnastics Federation.
3. "New deputy youth and sports ministers named". Report News Agency. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
4. "Моя позиция ни в коем случае не отличается от позиции любого гражданина страны - главный тренер сборной Азербайджана по художественной гимнастике Мариана Василева". Trend.Az (in Russian). 7 October 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
5. "Мариана Василева: «Не называйте меня иностранкой! Я – азербайджанский тренер!» - Haqqin.az из Франции". haqqin.az. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
6. "Мариана Василева: Азербайджан меня научил быть сильнее, и как тренер я стала намного строже". Trend.Az (in Russian). 5 November 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
7. "Мариана Василева: Азербайджан меня научил быть сильнее, и как тренер я стала намного строже". Trend.Az (in Russian). 5 November 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

External links

• Azerbaijan Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach Profile