Yordanka Lyubchova Donkova (; born 28 September 1961) is a Bulgarian former hurdling athlete, notable for winning an Olympic gold medal and bronze medal as well as nine medals at European indoor and outdoor championships. Donkova set four 100 m hurdles world records in 1986. Her fifth world record, a time of 12.21 set in 1988, stood for almost 28 years until broken in 2016 by Kendra Harrison.
In total, Donkova has 16 medals from major athletics tournaments. She was named the Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year in 1986. She was also named the BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year in 1986.
Personal life Donkova suffered a childhood accident, which resulted in her losing two fingers on her right hand. She has three children. In 1991 she gave birth to a son, Zhivko Atanasov - professional football player, currently playing for Cherno More; twin girls Daniela and Desislava followed in 1996.
After the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Donkova received an offer to compete for the United States, but refused to change her national allegiance and continued to represent Bulgaria.
Major achievements Five-time Bulgarian National Champion at 100 m hurdles, 1980, 82, 84, 86 & 94. Representing 1980Olympic GamesMoscow, Soviet Unionsemi-final100 m hurdles13.39 sec1982European Indoor ChampionshipsMilan, Italy 3rd60 m hurdles8.03European ChampionshipsAthens, Greece2nd100m hurdles12.54 (wind: 0.4 m/s)4th4 × 100 m relay43.101984European Indoor ChampionshipsGothenburg, Sweden 3rd60 m hurdles8.091986European ChampionshipsStuttgart, West Germany 1st100 m hurdles12.38 (wind: -0.7 m/s) CR 2nd4 × 100 m42.681987European Indoor ChampionshipsLievin, France 1st60 m hurdles7.79World Indoor ChampionshipsIndianapolis, U.S. 2nd60 m hurdles7.85World ChampionshipsRome, Italy 4th100 m hurdles12.491988Olympic GamesSeoul, South Korea 1st100 m hurdles12.38 5th4 × 100 m43.021989European Indoor ChampionshipsThe Hague, Netherlands 1st60 m hurdles7.871992European Indoor ChampionshipsGenoa, Italy 3rd60 m hurdles8.03Olympic GamesBarcelona, Spain 3rd100 m hurdles12.701994European Indoor ChampionshipsParis, France 1st60 m hurdles7.85European ChampionshipsHelsinki, Finland 3rd100 m hurdles12.93 (wind: -1.7 m/s) CR = Championship Record
World records Donkova set five world records for the 100 metres hurdles: 12.36 sec - 13 August 1986 (equalling the record of Grażyna Rabsztyn) 12.35 sec - 17 August 1986 12.29 sec - 17 August 1986 12.26 sec - 7 September 1986 12.21 sec - 20 August 1988 (the world record stood until 22 July 2016)
References
Bibliography
External links
Y. Donkova - Olympic record 12:38 | Seoul 1988 г. | video YouTube video Y. Donkova - Olympic games 3td place | Barselona 1992 г. | video Y. Donkova improve world record four times in 1986 | video