Exclusive Interview on His Career, Training, and Olympic Journey

Meet Eddie Penev: From Aspiring Gymnast to International Elite Competitor

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1990, Eddie Penev commenced his gymnastics journey at his parents’ gym, the Rochester Gymnastics Academy in East Rochester, NY, United States. Both of his parents were gymnasts who represented Bulgaria in artistic gymnastics. At the age of three, Eddie Penev relocated to the United States, acquiring dual US and Bulgarian citizenship. Initially representing Bulgaria from 2007 until 2011, he participated in three World Championships.

However, in 2011, a pivotal decision was made to represent the United States. The competitive team atmosphere and the opportunity to be part of something bigger motivated him to make this change. Eddie Penev, concurrently training and pursuing studies at Stanford University in the US, made notable contributions to Team USA’s accomplishments. He clinched four U.S. apparatus titles, secured the position of a three-time NCAA individual champion, and played a role in Stanford’s triumph at the 2011 NCAA team championship.

His outstanding achievements culminated in the receipt of the prestigious Nissen-Emery Award in 2013, a distinct recognition of his status as the top male collegiate gymnast in the United States. Notably, Eddie Penev has a floor exercise element named after him – the ‘Penev’ (currently rated E and upgraded to F in the 2025-28 Code of Points).

He finished in 6th position in the Floor Exercise final at the 2010 World Championships in Rotterdam. At the 2017 World Championships in Montreal, he attained a 6th place ranking in qualifications, narrowly missing out on competing in the floor final due to the “two-per-country-out” rule.

In a strategic shift in 2023, Eddie Penev opted to once again represent Bulgaria, driven by the aspiration to secure an individual berth in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. His endeavors yielded success, as evidenced by his gold medal victories on the floor exercise at two World Challenge Cups (Osijek and Varna) and a silver medal in Szombathely.

Subsequently, in 2024, he participated in three World Cups (Cairo, Cottbus, and Baku), positioning himself favorably to secure a nominative spot for Paris 2024. However, a shoulder injury thwarted his qualification prospects by preventing his participation in the Doha World Cup. Yet Eddie will be in Paris this summer to support his brother Kevin.

His philosophy, “Excuses are nails that build the house of failure,” reflects his work ethic, illustrating the impact of his journey on his determination.

How did you start in gymnastics?

The simple answer is that I started gymnastics because my mom and my dad were both gymnasts. They competed internationally for Bulgaria throughout the 80s before moving to the US after I was born. Those first years, they coached at gyms throughout New York, and because they didn’t have the means to hire babysitters, they took me to work with them. I basically had free reign at the gym, and I would teach myself gymnastics by imitating the kids they were coaching. My parents were hesitant to make gymnastics a serious thing for me until it became undeniable that I loved it more than anything.

You’ve had a long career. What are the pros and cons of being an “experienced” gymnast?

Long is an understatement … I think the most obvious con is the wear and tear on the body. It goes without saying that I’ve experienced more than my share of injuries. The biggest pro is exactly just that: experience. After so many years of training and competing, I’ve learned how to manage my own gymnastics both on and off the competition floor. I know how to prepare for competitions and what to expect when I’m at a competition.

You represented the US and Bulgaria. Was it an easy decision to switch?

I don’t think any major career change is easy per se. I absolutely loved the many years I spent representing Team USA, but there’s that part of me that is fundamentally Bulgarian, so in that sense, it wasn’t the hardest decision.

Some gymnasts, who switched federations, experience some difficulties and a slow process. Was it a smooth process?

Well, I’ve made the switch twice. I represented Bulgaria as a junior gymnast to gain invaluable international competition experience before going on to represent the US for 10 years. This most recent switch in 2023 required a consensus between both federations and normally there is a “wait” period in which you cannot compete internationally. However, I had not represented the US internationally for a couple of years, because I was recovering from an injury, so I was able to bypass that wait and start competing for essentially
Bulgaria almost right away.

How is it to train in different locations with different coaches? Does experience help you with self-organization and self-discipline?

Well honestly, I’ve trained in different locations with a multitude of coaches throughout my entire career. As a junior gymnast, I trained under my club coach, Ivaylo Grahovski, at my parents gym, then with Thom Glielmi at Stanford University and then Vitaly Marinitch & Andriy Stepanchenko at the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC). I’ve learned so much under each coach and in each training environment, so yes, at this point in my career I am very self-disciplined and organized with my training.

Which gymnast do you most admire?

My absolute favorite gymnast of all time is Li Xiaopeng of China. His originality was always so fascinating to me as I grew up in the sport. I’d be remiss not to mention King Kohei Uchimura as well, who was so admirable for his sheer dominance within the sport. I had the pleasure of competing with him several times and that was certainly a highlight in my career.

What’s your favorite apparatus to do? And to watch?

My favorite apparatus to do is floor and to watch, high bar.

Which gymnastics competition do you have the best memory of?

That’s a tough one, and a few come to mind. The first was during my collegiate career when I helped Stanford win its 100th NCAA team title. I also think any of my four World Championships appearances representing Bulgaria and the US were memorable. Competing in floor finals at World Championships was probably the single most meaningful competition experience.

If you could eliminate one of the six events, which one would it be?

I’m sorry but definitely rings.

Which element are you most proud of?

I think I’ve always been proud of my lay double-double on floor because I’ve been competing it since I was 17! I’m also really proud that I competed a tucked triple-double for many years and that I have my own element – the “Penev”, which is essentially a Tamayo with a half twist.

Which element do you wish you could do and was close to performing in competition?

The element that has always eluded me in competition (even though I trained it very well) is the Li Xiaopeng on vault, a Yurchenko with a half on and two and a half twists off. I’ve watched too many videos to count of other gymnasts performing this vault.

What I like the most about Artistic Gymnastics? the challenge and the process of learning new skills that seem impossible at first and putting them into a routine. I’ve also always loved to compete and showcase my gymnastics.
Eddie Penev

How do you overcome fears and mental blocks (if any)?

This is a great question especially for younger gymnasts. I believe the best way to overcome mental blocks is by going back to the basics and breaking the element apart. I think if you create comfortability with the fundamentals and the “timers”, you can work through the skills that scare you.

Have you ever wanted to quit, and if so, what made you stay?

Too many times! My long history with untimely injuries has made me want to walk away from the sport, but I think it’s the fundamental love I have for gymnastics that has stopped me from giving it up. That and the knowledge that I still have more to give at the highest level.

Who’s the funniest gymnast you know?

Hmm interesting… It’s a toss up between some of the teammates I’ve had at Stanford and Chris Brooks who I trained with at the USOPTC. Chris was a serious athlete when he needed to be, but he always had a way of keeping practice very entertaining when it was called for of course!

What do you like best about gymnastics?

Simply put, the challenge. I love the process of learning new skills that seem impossible at first and putting them into a routine. I’ve also always loved to compete and showcase my gymnastics.

What do you dislike most about gymnastics?

Without a doubt, the injuries.

What advice would you give to 15-year-old Eddie?

It’s not going to be easy, kid, and it’s going to be cruel at times, but it’s a journey that will bring you so much more than just medals and accolades. It’ll always be worth it.

The Paris Olympics: your injury stopped your qualification process in the World Cup Series. A few weeks later, how do you handle the situation?

Paris is tough to talk about, but I can share what happened at this point. A little over two weeks prior to the final Olympic qualifier at the World Cup in Doha, a torn ligament caused my shoulder to dislocate. For two weeks, we tried every therapy imaginable to make my shoulder “usable” enough for the competition given that I was so painstakingly close to getting the floor quota, but it simply couldn’t happen. I’m devastated, and frankly, I’m still processing it, but with a great support system in my friends and family, I’ll be okay.

I had surgery over a month ago, so I’m physically healing as well. Obviously, missing the opportunity to seal the deal is heartbreaking, but full disclosure, the rules for the 2024 Apparatus World Cup series had fundamental inconsistencies that make this all the more painful. Without a barrage of detail, I will say that missed points at the World Cup in Cottbus over a tiebreak with a pre-qualified gymnast stopped me from getting the quota despite not competing in Doha. I had ranked very high at all the other competitions, and Doha didn’t need to be so consequential.

Your next objective in artistic gymnastics? What about the road to LA 2028?

Right now, I’m just taking it day by day and going through the lengthy recovery that is in front of me. I sometimes joke that I’m in a somewhat volatile relationship with gymnastics, but there is a lot of love and history there. Who knows, maybe we’ll get back together? Or maybe we won’t and that’s okay too.

What do you want to do after you retire as a competing gymnast?

I would love to coach at the collegiate level in the US. I think NCAA gymnastics brings out the best in our sport, and it would be a lot of fun to experience it through a different lens. I would also like to do some further education in the realm of sports administration or sports management. For me, it’s a matter of ‘when’ right now.

More: Other Gymnasts-interviews

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Apart from having many more years with those who are closest to me, I think being able to travel and explore the world would bring me so much happiness.

What is your greatest fear?

Cliché, but I would say living with regret.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I would say my stubbornness is sometimes the quality I most dislike about myself. Yet, it’s led to a lot of resilience which is admirable. I’ve come to understand that sometimes our most admirable characteristics put us in the toughest situations.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I really struggle with indecisive people.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I honestly wish I were more musically inclined. I’ve always wished I could play a musical instrument.

When and where were you happiest?

It’s hard to say categorically. Obviously, I’m so happy when I’m spending time with family and friends. Apart from that, I am a sucker for being in nature. I climb a lot of mountains given all the years I have spent in Colorado, and I must say, that really grounds me and gives me a lot of happiness.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

I think a life without authenticity is pretty miserable. Being afraid to be unapologetically yourself is so bad for the soul.

What is it that you most dislike?

I really dislike unwarranted judgment, especially over things that someone cannot change or control.

What is your greatest regret?

I try to not live with regret.

What would you do if you won 100 million dollars?

Well first, I’m giving back to anyone close to me who has supported me throughout my life/career, especially my family. Then it would be a sleek and modern house somewhere beautiful and a lot of traveling around the world.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I hope that throughout my career I have shown people both in the world of gymnastics and beyond, the importance of never giving up on your dreams. You can always choose to fight another day.

How would you like to die?

Oh gosh, can’t say I’ve thought about it too much, but if I had to say, I would simply want to move on feeling fulfilled in life. I mean, going out doing something epic would be kind of cool too if we’re talking extreme. Go out with a bang if you can, I guess?

More:
2024 World Cup Series Qualifications to the Paris Olympics
Eddie Penev’s FIG Profile

*The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions named after French writer Marcel Proust. It is believed that people reveal their true nature in answering these questions and it is often used in modern interviews. The questionnaire has been adapted to fit the world of artistic gymnastics.