Toma Tomov left us at the age of 76 after a long stay at the “Pirogov” Emergency Medical Aid Institute, reported the website of the Bulgarian Water Polo Federation waterpolobg.com. A legendary figure in Bulgarian water polo, Tomov was admitted to the hospital as an emergency after a motorcycle accident more than a month ago. He was in intensive care and in an artificial coma for a long time, but then he began to successfully recover, and the prognosis was already encouraging. Unfortunately, on the night of November 21, 2022, Tometo – as all his water polo friends called him – left us.
Toma Tomov is one of the most successful players in the history of Bulgarian water polo. He has many significant achievements as a coach. A charming personality, he managed with his vast experience and authority to bring calmness and order to our beloved sport and from the position of head coach of BFVT in the last 5 years. He was a member of Bulgaria’s ideal team for the 20th century.
The Board of BF water polo offered its condolences to the relatives and friends of Toma Tomov for the great loss. At the same time, the Board of Directors of the BFVT stated that it realizes how huge the loss is for Bulgarian water polo. And he states that in his work he will continue to rely on the principles and experience that Toma Tomov left for Bulgarian water polo.
God forgive you, Tom!
A career in water polo
Born on November 17, 1946 in Sofia.
Merited Master of Sports in water polo and Merited Coach.
Racer
12 men’s titles – Red Banner 2, CSKA 7, Academic 3
8 appearances in KESH, 72 matches
274 matches for the national team. Olympic Games Munich 1972 (scorer #2), World Championships Belgrade 1973, Colombia 1975, European Championships Utrecht 1964, Vienna 1974
Member of the ideal Bulgarian water polo team for the 20th century
Coach
Head coach of BFVT: 2017-2022
National coach: 1977-79 and 1981-85, European Championships – Jonköping 1977, Split 1981, Rome 1983, Sofia 1985, World Championship West Berlin 1986 – 8th place, “Friendship” tournament (parallel Olympics) Havana 1984, World Cup Long Beach 1981 – 8th place. He also led national teams for juniors and girls.
Bulgaria: CSKA 1973-1983, 10 titles for men, 10 appearances in the KESH
France: Montpellier University Club (1986-1998), took the club from the 4th division to participation in the European Cup (1998); Docker Club (Set) 1998-2004, Montpellier Water Polo Club (2004-2006) with 2 appearances in the European Cup, Charenton Water Polo Club (Paris) 2006-2016
Judge
Pre-Olympic Qualification Sofia 1980, Olympic Games Moscow 1980, Kamenex Tournament (Canada, America, Mexico) in Long Beach, Mexico City and Edmonton – 1979 and 1980.
Administrative experience
Head and head coach of a swimming and water polo school: Charenton (France) – 2006-2016, Cette (France) 1998-2003, Montpellier (France) 1986-1988
