BFSA Open Cup — Plevna 2026

1. BFSA “Iron Men” and its place in Bulgarian strongman

BFSA “Айрън мен” (Iron Men), publicly presented as Българска федерация по силови атлетически спортове, occupies an important place in the modern Bulgarian strongman scene. The organization links its activity to 2006, while the current legal entity was registered in 2014. Around this structure, силов многобой competitions, championships, demonstrations and public sport projects have developed.

1.1. A structure built around strength

BFSA-related public activity includes national competitions, local events, international participation, student contests and charity events. Names associated with the scene include Miron Yordanov, Yuri Bozhanov, Petyo Hristov and Ivan Mryankov.

1.2. A non-linear organizational history

Bulgarian strongman history also includes other structures, including organizations that used the “Strong Men” name, as well as periods of disagreement over representation and legitimacy. For an archive, these episodes are best presented as part of the sport’s administrative development, while separating organizational claims from independently verified facts.

2. BFSA “Iron Men”: leadership, projects and identity

2.1. Miron Yordanov

Miron Yordanov is the central figure associated with BFSA “Iron Men”, presented as founder and president. In recent years, the federation and related structures have combined championships with demonstrations, student competitions, charity events and public sport-promotion initiatives.

2.2. The “Strong Against Drugs” campaign

One of the public projects associated with the federation is the “Силните срещу дрогата” (“Strong Against Drugs”) campaign. In Pleven, the campaign was directly linked to the 2026 round, giving the event an additional social and community dimension.

3. BFSA Open Cup Plevna 2026

3.1. Date, venue and format

On July 4, 2026, Pleven hosted the first round of Bulgaria’s Open National силов многобой Championship for the 2026 season. The contest took place in the parking area in front of Pleven Municipality and was organized by Българска федерация по силови атлетически спортове with the support of Pleven Municipality. Seven athletes competed: two Bulgarians and five Romanians.

3.2. The athletes

The documented field included Petyo Hristov and Ivan Mryankov from Bulgaria, plus Giovanni Vasili, Vilian Yon, Domitrake Glad, Marius Dobai and Vladimir Voinea from Romania.

4. The six events

4.1. Truck Pull

A 9-ton truck was pulled over 20 meters. Ivan Mryankov was first in 16.07 seconds, Petyo Hristov second in 16.28 seconds, and Vladimir Voinea third in 17.31 seconds.

4.2. Farmer’s Walk

Athletes carried two 130 kg implements over 20 meters. Petyo Hristov won in 8.19 seconds, while Vladimir Voinea finished third.

4.3. Log Lift

Competitors chose between 100 and 130 kg. Petyo Hristov won with four repetitions at 130 kg. Ivan Mryankov made eight repetitions at 100 kg, while Vladimir Voinea made seven at 100 kg.

4.4. Strongman Loading Race

The loading event used bags imitating stones in a relay-style format. Vilian Yon posted the fastest time, followed by Domitrake Glad and Petyo Hristov.

4.5. Yoke Carry

A 360 kg yoke was carried over 20 meters. Petyo Hristov won in 14.28 seconds, Ivan Mryankov finished in 26.68 seconds, and Vladimir Voinea in 52.87 seconds.

4.6. Car Deadlift

The car deadlift was scored by maximum repetitions in one minute. Marius Dobai and Vladimir Voinea both achieved 19 repetitions, the best result of the event, while Ivan Mryankov completed 16.

5. Final standings

The documented podium was: 1. Petyo Hristov; 2. Ivan Mryankov; 3. Vladimir Voinea. For Vladimir Voinea, third place followed a consistent performance across all six events and a 19-repetition Car Deadlift result, joint best of the event with Marius Dobai.

6. Pleven as a sporting and community event

6.1. Beyond the leaderboard

The event included performances by the “Euphoria” cheerleading club, activities and games for children, and a fireworks finale. Through the “Strong Against Drugs” campaign, the competition combined the sporting spectacle with a public message about an active lifestyle.

7. The connection between the Bulgarian and Romanian scenes

Pleven 2026 also matters to the Romanian strongman archive. Five of the seven competitors were Romanian, and Vladimir Voinea reached the overall podium. The contest illustrates the close connection between Eastern European national strongman scenes and the value of cross-border competition.

8. Conclusion

BFSA AstroMan and BFSA Open Cup Plevna 2026 form part of a broader story about the development of силов многобой in Bulgaria: strength competition, organized sport, public spectacle and community activity. Pleven brought together six demanding events, seven athletes from two countries and a public event linked to the “Strong Against Drugs” campaign. For Vladimir Voinea, the day ended with third place and 19 repetitions in the Car Deadlift, joint best result of the event with Marius Dobai.

Sources used: BTA, BNT, Pleven Municipality and the public BFSA/Strongman Bulgaria materials.