Triumph of Bulgarian athletes with Down syndrome: 27 medals at the World Championships

14.07.2026 | Sport

Iliana Iotova honored the Bulgarian athletes with Down syndrome for their exceptional success at the World Championships. See how our athletes won 27 medals.

Снимка от Tech. Sgt. Sarayuth Pinthong, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Bulgarian athletes with Down syndrome conquer the world stage

Head of State Iliana Iotova presented the Presidential Honorary Plaque to the Bulgarian athletes who performed brilliantly at the World Championship for athletes with Down syndrome. The event, which was held under the patronage of the Vice President, turned into a true celebration of the human spirit and sporting will.

"My assessment of the performance of the Bulgarian participants is extremely high," shared Slav Petkov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Federation of Adapted Physical Activity.

Bulgaria was represented by 20 exceptional competitors who measured their strength against nearly 400 athletes from 27 countries. The successes of our athletes include participation in five different disciplines:

The total haul of the Bulgarian team amounts to an impressive 27 medals: 12 gold, 6 silver, and 9 bronze. This achievement not only brings glory to our country but also proves that sport is the most powerful tool for social inclusion and overcoming barriers.