Tsvetanka Hristova

Tsvetanka Hristova’s career in discus throwing spanned more than two decades. She first came to prominence in 1982, winning the European Championships in Athens. She missed the podium (4th) at the inaugural World Championships, and failed to appear in Los Angeles due to the East Block boycott, but won bronze medals at the 1987 World Championships and 1988 Olympics. Her finest hour came in 1991, when she took the world title with a clear margin. She could not repeat that performance in Barcelona the following year, and settled for silver. Still competing well into her 40ies, Hristova competed at the 2004 Games. She attempted to qualify for Beijing as well, but was weakened by cancer, and missed the limit. Her disease worsened in 2008, and she died aged 46 in November 2008. Her personal best throw of 73.22, set in her home town in 1987, still ranked her among the all-time top 10 at the time of her death.

Personal Best: DT – 73.22 (1987).