Interview with Paulina Nikolova (Stiliana's mom)
I never forced my daughters into rhythmic gymnastics. I was totally against my oldest daughter doing rhythmic gymnastics. She started training with different coach. When I saw her progress, I took her up on it. She had same characteristics as Stiliana, but I had a lot of work and no finances to go to competitions. She competed out of Egyptian competition. When she was allowed to compete - she took first place - and she has been banned from competing ever since. We were always strangers there. She later became coach. First, for Stili.
When Stili said she wanted to go to national team for review - I was against it. She was 13 years old. But then her father said: "We have failed to give our children opportunity to grow. Let's give it try. If it doesn't work out, we'll take her home." And I said yes.
Original
I never forced my daughters into rhythmic gymnastics. I was totally against my oldest daughter doing rhythmic gymnastics. She started training with different coach. When I saw her progress, I took her up on it. She had same characteristics as Stiliana, but I had a lot of work and no finances to go to competitions. She competed out of Egyptian competition. When she was allowed to compete - she took first place - and she has been banned from competing ever since. We were always strangers there. She later became coach. First, for Stili.
When Stili said she wanted to go to national team for review - I was against it. She was 13 years old. But then her father said: "We have failed to give our children opportunity to grow. Let's give it try. If it doesn't work out, we'll take her home." And I said yes.
Original