| Kevin Penev | |
|---|---|
| Country represented |  Bulgaria |
| Former countries represented |  United States |
| Born | 30 March 2000 |
| Hometown | Penfield, New York |
| Discipline | Men's artistic gymnastics |
| College team | Michigan Wolverines (2019) |
| Head coach(es) | Milko Tankouchev |
Kevin Penev (born 30 March 2000)[1] is an American-born Bulgarian artistic gymnast. He will represent Bulgaria at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Early life
Penev was born in 2000 in New York. His parents, Yulia Hristova and Marian Penev, both represented Bulgaria at international gymnastics competitions. His older brother Eddie Penev also competed for the United States and Bulgaria in gymnastics.[2]
Career
Penev competed for the University of Michigan gymnastics team in 2019. He tied for second place on the floor exercise at the Big Ten Championships.[3]
Penev and his brother Eddie announced they would begin competing for Bulgaria in 2023.[4] His nationality change was approved by the International Gymnastics Federation in May 2023.[5] He was selected to compete for Bulgaria at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp.[6] He qualified for the vault final and finished in eighth place. As the highest-placing gymnast on vault who did not already qualify through the team or all-around, Penev qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games.[7][8]
References
- ↑ "52nd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Antwerp (BEL), 30 September – 8 October 2023 Men Entry List by NOC" (PDF). USA Gymnastics. International Gymnastics Federation. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ "Penev Kevin". International Gymnastics Federation. International Gymnastics Federation. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ "Kevin Penev". Michigan Wolverines. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ Abraham, Gincy (17 June 2023). "Former US Gymnast, Who Suffered Saddening Fate Before Olympic Trials in 2021, Set to Compete for Bulgaria". Essentially Sports.
- ↑ "Official News from the Executive Committee Meeting on 12–13 May 2023". International Gymnastics Federation. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ Solakova, Dimitrina (14 August 2023). "Five Bulgarians to Compete in Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup Series in Hungary, Four in Turkiye". BTA. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ "Кевин Пенев спечели квота за Париж 2024" [Kevin Penev won a quota for Paris 2024]. OFFNews (in Bulgarian). 8 October 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ "Calm amidst a storm of attention, Biles sails smoothly to two more World golds". International Gymnastics Federation. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.