What discipline does the Bulgarian athlete Stefka Kostadinova practice?
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Bulgarian athlete Stefka Kostadinova is a high jump specialist, an athletic discipline that involves clearing a horizontal bar placed at a certain height without knocking it down. Born on March 25, 1965, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, she is considered one of the greatest champions in this discipline and remains an iconic figure in world athletics.
Stefka Kostadinova’s athletic career began in the 1980s, during which time she quickly established herself as one of the best high jumpers of her generation. Her technique, combining power, flexibility, and remarkable mastery of the Fosbury Flop (a backward jumping technique popularized since the 1968 Olympic Games), allowed her to dominate the discipline for more than a decade.
The highlight of her career came in 1987 at the World Athletics Championships in Rome. Stefka Kostadinova set a world record of 2.09 meters, an extraordinary performance that has never been beaten since. This record made her not only an exceptional champion, but also a legendary athlete who will forever be engraved in the history of the sport. More than three decades later, this record still stands, proof of the monumental feat she accomplished.
During her career, Stefka Kostadinova won numerous prestigious titles. She was crowned Olympic champion at the 1996 Atlanta Games, after narrowly missing out on the gold medal in 1988 in Seoul (silver medal behind American Louise Ritter). She also won two outdoor world titles (1987 in Rome and 1995 in Gothenburg) and five indoor world titles, confirming her consistency and supremacy in this discipline.
Stefka Kostadinova also made a lasting impression with her longevity as an athlete. Despite injuries and changing times, she remained competitive at the highest level for nearly 15 years. Her jumping style was characterized by explosive power and aerial elegance, which allowed her to clear bars at heights that few female athletes could even approach.
But Stefka Kostadinova did not limit herself to her athletic career. After retiring in the early 2000s, she became involved in the public and sporting life of her country. She became a sports administrator and notably chaired the Bulgarian Olympic Committee, playing a major role in promoting sport in Bulgaria and supporting young athletes.
Her legacy extends far beyond her achievements. She embodies the image of a disciplined, persevering, and determined athlete. Her world record of 2.09 m illustrates how far she pushed human limits in a demanding discipline. By way of comparison, very few athletes have cleared the legendary 2.05 m mark, which highlights the exceptional nature of her performance.
Bulgarian athlete Stefka Kostadinova competed in the high jump, a discipline in which she became the undisputed queen thanks to her multiple international titles and, above all, her historic world record of 2.09 meters set in 1987. She remains an inspiration to athletes around the world today, proof that discipline, passion, and talent can lead to achievements that stand the test of time.
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What discipline does the Bulgarian athlete Stefka Kostadinova practice?
Answer
Bulgarian athlete Stefka Kostadinova competes in the high jump, a discipline in which she still holds the women's world record set in 1987.