Vladimir Nikolov
Vladimir Nikolov is a renowned volleyball player with an impressive career representing VC Levski, the Bulgarian national team, and clubs in Italy, France, Turkey, and Japan. He is a five-time Bulgarian champion (1997–2002). With the French team Tours, he won the French Championship (2004), the French Cup (2005, 2006), the French Super Cup (2005), and the Champions League (2005), where he was named MVP of the tournament. With Trentino, he became the Italian champion (2007), and with Cuneo, he won both the national championship (2010), the Italian Cup (2011), and the CEV Cup (2011).
With the Bulgarian national team, he won three bronze medals (World Championship and World Cup in Japan, 2006; European Championship in Turkey, 2009). At the London Olympics (2012), the team placed fourth. During the Beijing Olympics (2008), he was Bulgaria’s top scorer (alongside Matey Kaziyski), and in 2010, he was named the best opposite hitter in the world. He also served as captain of the Bulgarian national team.
Since 2012, he has been the president of VC Levski. Together with his wife Maya, they have four children, the older two (Alex and Simeon) already following in his footsteps. His life story is shared in the autobiographical book “High” (2024, Ciela), co-authored with Violeta Tsvetkova.
With the Bulgarian national team, he won three bronze medals (World Championship and World Cup in Japan, 2006; European Championship in Turkey, 2009). At the London Olympics (2012), the team placed fourth. During the Beijing Olympics (2008), he was Bulgaria’s top scorer (alongside Matey Kaziyski), and in 2010, he was named the best opposite hitter in the world. He also served as captain of the Bulgarian national team.
Since 2012, he has been the president of VC Levski. Together with his wife Maya, they have four children, the older two (Alex and Simeon) already following in his footsteps. His life story is shared in the autobiographical book “High” (2024, Ciela), co-authored with Violeta Tsvetkova.
The autobiographical book “High” by Vladimir Nikolov (2024, Ciela) is a candid confession of the long journey of the prominent volleyball player and captain of the Bulgarian national team — a path filled with great successes but also challenges and disappointments. In it, he shares his development as an athlete — from his shy first steps on the court, when few believed he had the potential to become a top player, to the highest peaks of sports, which brought him global recognition, medals, fame, and deep personal satisfaction.
“High” is a compelling read that evokes a range of emotions and immerses the reader in the world of elite sports as well as the rich personal life of an athlete — a world usually hidden behind the daily battles on the court. The book is also a treasure trove of reflections from a successful 47-year-old husband, father, and professional manager — on success and the books that guided him; on glory and pride in representing the national flag; on the experience and knowledge gained worldwide that now help him mentor the next generation; on the role of mentors and modern-day leaders; on what it means to be a modern patriot and a realist dreamer.
“High” is a bouquet of emotions and stories in which every reader will find something of themselves through the personal truths of Vlado Nikolov.
“High” is a compelling read that evokes a range of emotions and immerses the reader in the world of elite sports as well as the rich personal life of an athlete — a world usually hidden behind the daily battles on the court. The book is also a treasure trove of reflections from a successful 47-year-old husband, father, and professional manager — on success and the books that guided him; on glory and pride in representing the national flag; on the experience and knowledge gained worldwide that now help him mentor the next generation; on the role of mentors and modern-day leaders; on what it means to be a modern patriot and a realist dreamer.
“High” is a bouquet of emotions and stories in which every reader will find something of themselves through the personal truths of Vlado Nikolov.