site.btaBulgaria Wins First Medal at Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin

Maksim Petkovski has won a silver medal in the 50m snowshoeing event at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Konstantina Yanakieva placed fourth in the 50m event.

Sixteen-year-old Petkovski, a ninth grader at a high school in Smolyan, competed against athletes from the USA, France, and Mauritania. This was his first time participating in an international sports competition.

"Sports achievements give me a sense of worth," he said.

His preparation for the Special Olympics was supported by Smolyan Mayor Nikolay Melemov and his team. 

"Maksim proved that with determination and self-belief, nothing is impossible. He is an example of how to chase your dreams. Smolyan has a lot to be proud of. Maxim succeeded because of his strong spirit and the support he receives from his family and community," said Alexander Dimitrov, the national snowshoeing coach for the World Winter Games.

Petkovski's personal trainer is his aunt, Diana Balkanska, who has been by his side in various events leading up to this major competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

"Every person, every family, needs success like this to believe in themselves. Some people and some families need it more than others. The journey to the top was difficult but it was worth it," Balkanska said.

Nineteen-year-old Konstantina Yanakieva, a 12th grader from Samokov, finished fourth behind athletes from Kuwait, Cyprus, and India.

"Besides the race, I made a lot of new friends here," Yanakieva said.

Her preparation and participation in the World Winter Games were supported by Samokov Mayor Angel Dzhorgov and his team. Her personal coach is Katya Krasteva.