Maria Dimitrova Petrova (; born 13 November 1975) is a Bulgarian former rhythmic gymnast who is now a rhythmic gymnastics judge and official. She is a triple World all-around champion (1993, 1994, 1995) and a triple European all-around champion (1992, 1993, 1994).
Career Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Petrova began her training at the age of five at local club Trakia Plovdiv Club, coached by Natalia Moravenova. By 1991, she was coached by Neshka Robeva at the Levski Sofia Club. In her first World Championship appearance, Petrova placed second in the team competition after a hoop drop.
Petrova was one of the favorites to win gold but found herself finishing in fifth in the all-around finals at the Barcelona Olympics after a penalty of .20 was imposed due to the zipper on the back of her leotard that had broken during her hoop exercise. A few months later, at the World Championships, Petrova took second place behind Russia's Oxana Kostina and ahead of Belarusian Larissa Lukyanenko.
In 1993, Petrova performed with her Panovaesque ball to an Indian melody. She also competed in a ribbon exercise, and a small-toss filled clubs routine to Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner". Her final performance to Carmina Burana caused a great crowd ovation. She went on to win the all-around World title, as well as three more gold medals (ball, hoop, ribbon) and a bronze medal (clubs).
She went on to win one more European title and two more world titles (shared in 1995 with Yekaterina Serebrianskaya), tying her with countrywoman Maria Gigova for the most wins in the latter category.
Competing in her second Olympics, Petrova was one of the front runner to win the gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, however a series of mistakes left her finishing in 5th place in the All-around Finals behind Russia's Amina Zaripova.
Although she had tried to retire several times after her first World title, Petrova continued competing as a favor to the Bulgarian national team, which was in a rebuilding phase after the Eastern European Communist collapse.
Petrova previously shared the world record for most individual world all-around rhythmic gymnastics titles with Maria Gigova, Evgenia Kanaeva and Yana Kudryavtseva, until that record was broken by Dina Averina in 2021. Petrova's three titles were earned in 1993, 1994, and 1995 (shared).
She is currently a judge in rhythmic gymnastics and served as the Execution Supervisor at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2021, she was elected second vice president of the International Gymnastics Federation technical committee for rhythmic gymnastics, and she was re-elected in 2024.
Personal life In 1998, Petrova married Bulgarian footballer Borislav Mihaylov.
Achievements
Petrova won 3 world titles in three consecutive years (1993, 1994, 1995 tied with Ekaterina Serebrianskaya) equaled only by fellow countrywoman Maria Gigova (1969, 1971 tied with Galima Shugurova, 1973) and Russian gymnasts Evgenia Kanaeva (2009, 2010, 2011) and Yana Kudryavtseva (2013, 2014, 2015).
Routine music information
YearApparatusMusic title 1996Ball She is Dead music from Leon (The Professional) by Eric Serra Rope ?Clubs Habanera, Scene music from Carmen Suite by Rodion Shchedrin / BizetRibbonLa Zarzamora by Paco de Lucia1995Ball Dreaming Strings by Gheorge ZamfirRope ?Clubs Wedding Celebration / The Bottle Dance music from Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry BockRibbonLa Zarzamora by Paco de Lucia1994Ball Dreaming Strings by Gheorge Zamfir Hoop Carmina Burana music from Synthétiseur 6 by SynthesizerClubs Wedding Celebration / The Bottle Dance music from Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry BockRibbonThe Lark by Balogh Kalman1993Ball Toni / Making Music by Zakir HussainHoop Carmina Burana music from Synthétiseur 6 by SynthesizerClubs Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega/DNARibbonThe Lark by Balogh Kalman1992BallToni / Making Music by Zakir HussainHoop Duet Improvisation (Part 1) and Duet Improvisation (Part 2) by Chick Corea Trio MusicClubs Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega/DNARopeAmazonas by Strunz & Farah1991Ball The First Garden from The Secret Life of Plants by Stevie WonderHoop he Feeling Begins music from The Last Temptation of Christ by Peter GabrielClubs Camptown RacesRope?
References
External links
NSA Bulgarian gymnasts