Five-Time Champ

Darinka Angelova walked into the gym for the first time 21 years ago, and from that moment on the then-6-year-old had her heart set on becoming an elite gymnast.

Although at 6, Angelova never could have imagined that not only would her dream come true, but also she would still be competing more than two decades later.

“I didn’t think so because of the age limit is 18 or 20 at the most,” Angelova said of the notion of competing as an adult. “But then, life takes you somewhere else. I didn’t think I would be doing it for so long.”

Angelova has been flying high for the better part of 21 years, and the 27-year-old Kids Supergym gymnast doesn’t show signs of stopping anytime soon.

On July 3, Angelova captured her fifth-consecutive all-around national title at the Amateur Athletic Union Age Group National Gymnastics Championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports, in Orlando. Competing in the Level 8 Women’s Division, Angelova finished first on the vault (9.275), uneven bars (9.4) and balance beam (9.15) and second on the floor exercise (9.475) for a combined all-around score of 37.3.

“They’re all the same,” Angelova said of her titles. “Although now as it comes (closer), I’m getting more relaxed because I know what to do. It’s all fun. There’s not that competition type of feeling between the girls. We were all cheering each other on, and I remembered some of the girls from last year, and they remembered me.”

Angelova put together one of her better all-around performances at this year’s AAU Age Group National Championship, but she admits it didn’t start off the way she had hoped.

Angelova drew the uneven bars as her first event — an event that up until recently had always been her favorite. But as she warmed up her routine, Angelova struggled to hit one of her skills. It was a skill Angelova had been doing since she was a little girl and one she could practically do in her sleep.

Filled with frustration, Angelova walked up to the apparatus and began her routine. She continually progressed throughout the routine — eventually hitting the skill and putting together one of her best performances on the uneven bars.

“The best part was afterwards when I was done,” Angelova said with a laugh. “I had a really rough time warming up bars. I didn’t get my skill, so I was really frustrated. I went out and did it and completed my skill. It was a relief knowing I did my best, and I proved it.

“A lot of people are like, ‘That’s so awesome,’” she said. “It’s really nice. The thing that’s the best is that I didn’t forget even the harder stuff that I did when I was little. It’s hard to reach. It gets harder.”

A native of Bulgaria, Angelova began taking gymnastics after her mother signed her up for recreational gymnastics classes. Angelova spent four years competing for the Bulgarian national team before joining in 2002 the Moscow State Circus, where she performed acrobatics. Angelova spent three years touring globally before moving to the United States in 2005 after the circus got a contract.

After leaving the circus, Angelova began working in September 2006 at Kids Supergym.

In addition to coaching, Angelova began competing again as a way to maintain her performer’s visa while fulfilling her childhood passion.

“I still feel the pressure every time,” Angelova said. “It never goes away. Maybe it was a little more intense when I was little, but you still get it.”

Since then, Angelova has won numerous state and national titles. She practices every Saturday during the school year for three hours, making sure to make the most out of each practice.

“Your body doesn’t (move) the same way, so you have to workout every day,” Angelova said. “If you go to work and stay home your body is very sore. You definitely have to keep moving, so you don’t lose your form.”

Angelova is now in the process of renewing her performer’s visa and also has applied for her green card. Once her visa is renewed, Angelova will continue competing for Kids Supergym until she receives her green card.

And with another competition season behind her, Angelova will now spend the remainder of the summer focusing on coaching some of the East County’s future elite gymnasts.

“I’ve always wanted to be a coach,” Angelova said. “Not in Bulgaria — they’re so strict there. Here it’s much nicer. It’s better for the kids and the coaches. In Europe they pressure you a lot, but here it’s all about having fun.

“I love the feeling when a kid gets a skill and they start jumping around and laughing,” she said. “Sometimes, they even come up and give you a hug.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].