Ivan Radnev Ivanov - Bio
After the end of his carrier as a competitor in 1997, Ivan was brought to U.S.A. wrestling to coach and help develop Greco Roman wrestling in the United States. Ivan served as an assistant Resident Greco-Roman wrestling coach at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs Colorado from 1997 until 1999.From March 1999 Ivan qualified to work as a full time wrestling director and Head Wrestling Coach at one of the biggest health clubs in Utah, called Tree-house Athletic Club or (TAC wrestling).
In February 2002 Ivan was hired from USA Wrestling and Northern Michigan University to serve as a Head Greco Roman wrestling coach at the Olympic Training and Education Center ( USOEC) in the city of Marquette, Michigan. Starting from almost scratch, for less than 4 years Ivan Ivanov was able to build the Greco Roman Wrestling Program at the USOEC to be one of the top Programs in the United States. The year of 2006 was the most successful year for Ivan and his team.
Five USOEC wrestlers placed in the top two at the World Team Trials in 2006 and World bronze medalist Harry Lester making his third straight World Greco-Roman Team at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. The USOEC also had four second-place finishers in 2006 World University champion Spenser Mango at 55 kg/121 lbs. along with Joe Betterman at 60 kg/132 lbs., Jake Curby at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Adam Wheeler at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. For the past two year 2006 and 2007 the USOEC program won five World medal.
- 55kg Spencer Mango 2006 University World Champion
- 2006 Junior World Championships - Bronze Medalist
- 84kg Chas Betts 2006 University Worlds Silver Medalist
- 66kg Harry Lester 2006 and 2007 Senior World Championships - Bronze Medalist
Listed below are some of Ivan Ivanov’s wrestling accomplishments and current endeavors.
- 1994 Tampere Finland World silver medallist 62kg.
- 1996 Atlanta -Olympian finished 5th at 62 kg
- Six time Bulgarian National champion in Greco Roman Wrestling.
- 3-Time winner of Nikola Petrov Grand Pre international tournament
- 1995 Petrov Gold Belt winner
- USA wrestling Gold level certified coach
- USA wrestling National coaching staff since 1998
Currently Greco Roman wrestling Head coach at the Olympic Education Center (USOEC) Marquette Michigan won six straight team titles at the Greco Roman University Nationals in Chicago, IL.
Coach Ivanov has studied and experienced the USA wrestling system for close to 10 years. Coach Ivanov is proud to say that during all of these years of coaching in the USA he has developed a number of National champions in Greco Roman wrestling in each age group from midgets through the seniors.
Personal accomplishment:
- WIN magazine Impact Award winner in 2007
- Award from USA Wrestling Western regional Developmental coach of the year 2000
- Award for Honored Citizen of his home town Gurkovo country of Bulgaria
- Achieved USA citizenships in June of 2006
- Married - wife Silviya and two daughter, Magdalena 4 years old and a newborn in 2007 named Katerina
Hobbies:
- Fishing and outdoor activities.
- working out and traveling
