Mariya Petkova

Mariya Dimitrova Petkova (Bulgarian: Мария Димитрова Петкова, née Вергова, Vergova; born 3 November 1950 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian discus thrower. In 1976 she won an Olympic silver medal behind Evelin Schlaak, a standing that would repeat itself in 1980. This year she also achieved a personal best throw of 71.80 metres. In 1982 she won a European Championship silver medal behind countrywoman Tsvetanka Khristova, who is twelve years younger. One year later Petkova won the bronze medal at the first World Championships in Athletics.

Achievements

Representing  Bulgaria
1975	World Student Games	Rome, Italy	1st
1976	Summer Olympics	Montreal, Canada	2nd
1977	World Student Games	Sofia, Bulgaria	1st
1980	Summer Olympics	Moscow, USSR	2nd
1982	European Championships	Athens, Greece	2nd
1983	World Championships	Helsinki, Finland	3rd	66.44 m

In 1974 Mariya Petkova bench pressed 210 kg without the use of supportive gear of any kind. This is more than any other woman in history.

External links

• Maria Vergova-Petkova profile at IAAF
• sports-reference

Records
Preceded by Evelin Jahl	Women's Discus World Record Holder 15 July 1980 – 23 May 1983	Succeeded by Galina Savinkova
Sporting positions
Preceded by Evelin Jahl	Women's Discus Best Year Performance 1980	Succeeded by Evelin Jahl