Yordanka Donkova

Yordanka Donkova, born on September 28, 1961, is a Bulgarian former hurdler who dominated the 100 metres hurdles during the 1980s. She is an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated hurdlers in European championship history.

Donkova set five world records in the 100 metres hurdles, four of them in 1986 alone. Her final world record of 12.21 seconds, set in 1988, stood for nearly 28 years before Kendra Harrison broke it in 2016.

She won an Olympic gold medal and a bronze medal, along with nine medals at European Indoor and Outdoor Championships, bringing her total from major tournaments to 16 medals. She was named Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year and BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year, both in 1986.