Mariya Dimitrova Petkova (, née Vergova (); born 3 November 1950 in Plovdiv) is a retired Bulgarian discus thrower. In 1976 she won an Olympic silver medal behind Evelin Schlaak, a standing that would repeat itself in 1980. This year she also achieved a personal best throw of 71.80 metres. In 1982 she won a European Championship silver medal behind countrywoman Tsvetanka Khristova, who is twelve years younger. One year later Petkova won the bronze medal at the first World Championships in Athletics.
Achievements Representing 1975World Student GamesRome, Italy 1st65.28 m1976Summer OlympicsMontreal, Canada 2nd67.30 m1977World Student GamesSofia, Bulgaria 1st66.34 m1980Summer OlympicsMoscow, USSR 2nd67.90 m1982European Championships Athens, Greece 2nd67.94 m1983World Championships Helsinki, Finland 3rd66.44 m
In 1974 Mariya Petkova bench pressed 210 kg without the use of supportive gear of any kind. This is more than any other woman in history.
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