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COACH IVAN IVANOV TAKES NOLA GYMNASTICS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
What started as single mom Gretchen Schultz teaching gymnastics at local after-school programs grew into a dream of creating national and world championship teams. Making that dream a reality for NOLA Gymnastics is Coach Ivan Ivanov, who joined the teaching staff in 2016.
Says Gretchen, “As a three-time national companionship competitor myself, I started bringing my kids to the nationals and competing in 2010. I always wanted my gym to be known for high level athletics, and that’s why I hired Ivan. I knew that he could take our teams to the next level and compete with the best.”
INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS
trio team not only were named US National Champions two years in a row, but also won silver and bronze medals in the 2019 International Acrobatic Cup in Cesenatico, Italy. (2020 competitions were not held because of coronavirus.) Notes Coach Ivanov, “Since joining NOLA Gymnastics, our athletes have progressed developmentally, from the 2018 US Level 7 Team National Champions award from USA Gymnastics, to the international track with the medals they won in Italy. It’s terrific! We’ve never had such awards in New Orleans!” He continues, “Our trio also won the coveted Glenn Sunby Award from USA Gymnastics in the 2019 Nationals. That one is like the Best of Show, with the artistry, drama, dancing, and routine. It’s given to the Coach Ivanov’s international athletes with the best artistry and reputation is stellar, having been performance in all levels. We were a nationally acclaimed, six-time so proud.”Bulgarian National Champion himself, and going on to coach acrobatic gymnastics (or “acro”) TEACHING for the past 16 years. Prior to New FOR ALL Orleans, his students have won NOLA Gymnastics’ after school 12 medals in World Championship, Coach Ivanov and programs are still taught at Newman, World Cup, European Championship, NOLA Gymnastics McGehee, and the Academy of the Sacred and European Games. And being an level 9 acro trio Heart (though on hiatus until the fall, due internationally ranked judge and professional to COVID restrictions). The main programs and member of USA Gymnastics makes Ivan unique in athletic training, though, are done at their home base, an New Orleans competitive gymnastics, translating to higher enormous Uptown gymnastics facility on Newman School’s campus.coaching standards for his local students. And it’s not just the acrobatic teams that Coach Ivan works with; he Since joining NOLA Gymnastics, Ivanov’s teams have won five gold, instructs all ages and abilities at NOLA Gymnastics – from kindergym three silver, and four bronze medals in USA Gymnastics’ national and beginner to pre-teen programs. By coaching all ages, Ivanov championships. By training to his higher levels, the gym’s elite acro
can develop talent from a very early age and establish strong relationships with the kids who may stay with the gym for years, into their teens.
Comments Gretchen Schultz, “Not all of our students will be athletes, but they’ll come for years and enjoy gymnastics in a positive environment as a hobby.”
MENTORSHIP
Ivanov is committed not only to his star athletes but to the New Orleans community at large. He also makes a difference in young local lives as the creator and program director of NOLA SPARKLE, an eight-week empowerment-mentorship program for young gymnasts, established in 2020. Using gymnastics, storytelling, and the S.P.A.R.K.L.E. curriculum, the program encourages girls to be the best they can and become more confident, caring, and capable individuals, shining not just in the gym, but in all areas of their lives.
Ivanov now sees himself as a New Orleanian and has put down roots as a local homeowner. “I love what I do and the culture here, and fishing, sailing, and cooking. I can’t wait to see what comes next!” See nolagymnastics.com for more information.
NOLA Gymnastics acro trio at 2019 USA Gymnastics Championship
Trevor Wisdom is a mom and native New Orleanian, and managing editor of Nola Family.