Nikola Lechev

--CONTENT --
Nikola Lechev is a Bulgarian national volleyball player.

It is one of the great names of Bulgarian volleyball in the 1950s and 1960s.

Biography
Nikola Lechev was born on July 1, 1933 in Plovdiv.

His volleyball career began in 1948. As a student he was included in the men's team of Lokomotive. It is distinguished by its brilliant defense game and effective attack.

In 1952 - 1955, he resigned his military service in the construction forces. He has the honour to be included in the extended composition of the volleyball team of Here he shows his qualities as a racer with great ambition, stubbornness, discipline in training. Full of inexhaustible energy and strength combined with his acrobatical skills give Coach Ivan Milev reason to vote his confidence in the main six of the team.

Hechev played in Slavia until 1958. During these 6 years he was the racer who had a certain share in winning the Republican titles by Slavia. In 1953, 1956; in the tournaments for the Cup of NRB in 1957.

In 1956 Lechev was included in the National Team where he played until 1962. He was in nearly 300 matches, including:
In the European Championships, the year 1955 and 1958 when Bulgaria ranked 3 and 4,
In the world championships of 1956 and 1962 our national championships were ranked 5 and 4 respectively;
At Budapest University in 1954 our team ranked first.

Lechev continued his racing activity in the company Lokomotiv. He then worked as OCT in the TPK. He retired as an officer of the Ministry of Interior.

About him toms Todor Simov, former national team player, says: "Nikola Lechev Johnny has remained in my sports memories as a man giving out in the field both in assault and defense. His attractive game was highly appreciated by the specialists. A picture of him and his beautiful plonge traveled the world through the publication also in a magazine of the World Volleyball Federation. For his contribution to the national team in 1962 he was awarded the title of a worthy master of sport.

He died on 6 January 2020.

Awards
As a result of its nearly 20 years of competition, he has won:
4 gold medals
one of the World Student Games
two from the Republican Championship
one of the Cup tournaments of NRB in 1957;
2 silver medals
one of the Republican Championships
one of the Cup Tournament of NRB in 1955;
4 bronze medals
one of the European Championships
two from the Republican Championship
one of the NRB Cup tournaments in 1954.

Hechev was part of the generation of racers who remained in history with their dedication, hard work and love for volleyball. A generation that raised the level of this favorite sport to a global level. Racers who played for honor and glory, not money.