Yordanka Donkova facts for kids
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women's Athletics | ||
Representing  Bulgaria |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1988 Seoul | 100 m hurdles |
| Bronze | 1992 Barcelona | 100 m hurdles |
| World Indoor Championships | ||
| Silver | 1987 Indianapolis | 60 m hurdles |
Yordanka Lyubchova Donkova (Bulgarian: Йорданка Любчова Донкова; born on September 28, 1961) is a famous former Bulgarian hurdling athlete. She is well-known for winning an Olympic gold medal and a bronze medal. Yordanka also earned nine medals at European indoor and outdoor championships.
Donkova set four 100 meter hurdles world records in 1986. Her fifth world record, a time of 12.21 seconds set in 1988, was unbroken for almost 28 years. It was finally broken in 2016 by Kendra Harrison. In total, Yordanka Donkova has won 16 medals from big athletics competitions.
Contents
About Yordanka Donkova
When Yordanka was a child, she had an accident. This accident caused her to lose two fingers on her right hand.
Family Life
Yordanka Donkova has three children. Her son, Zhivko Atanasov, was born in 1991. He is a professional football player. In 1996, she had twin girls named Daniela and Desislava.
Representing Bulgaria
After the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Yordanka was offered a chance to compete for the United States. However, she chose to stay loyal to her home country. She continued to represent Bulgaria in all her competitions.
Yordanka's Amazing Achievements
Yordanka Donkova was a five-time Bulgarian National Champion. She won the 100 meter hurdles title in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1994.
Olympic Success
Yordanka won two Olympic medals for Bulgaria. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, she won a gold medal in the 100 meter hurdles. Four years later, at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, she earned a bronze medal in the same event.
European and World Medals
Donkova also achieved great success at European and World Championships:
- In 1982, she won a bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships (60m hurdles). She also got a silver medal at the European Championships (100m hurdles).
- In 1984, she won another bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships (60m hurdles).
- In 1986, she won a gold medal at the European Championships (100m hurdles). She also got a silver medal in the 4 × 100 meter relay.
- In 1987, she won a gold medal at the European Indoor Championships (60m hurdles). She also earned a silver medal at the World Indoor Championships (60m hurdles).
- In 1989, she won a gold medal at the European Indoor Championships (60m hurdles).
- In 1992, she won a bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships (60m hurdles).
- In 1994, she won a gold medal at the European Indoor Championships (60m hurdles). She also got a bronze medal at the European Championships (100m hurdles).
World Records in Hurdles
Yordanka Donkova set five world records in the 100 meters hurdles. A world record means she ran faster than anyone else in history at that time!
- 12.36 seconds - Set on August 13, 1986. This tied the record held by Grażyna Rabsztyn.
- 12.35 seconds - Set on August 17, 1986.
- 12.29 seconds - Set on August 17, 1986 (on the same day!).
- 12.26 seconds - Set on September 7, 1986.
- 12.21 seconds - Set on August 20, 1988. This record was amazing because it stood for nearly 28 years! It was finally broken on July 22, 2016.
Images for kids
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A robot friend
See also
In Spanish: Yordanka Donkova para niños
