| Maria Grozdeva | |
| Fullname: | Maria Zdravkova Grozdeva |
| Birth Place: | Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Headercolor: | lightsteelblue |
| Show-Medals: | yes |
Maria Zdravkova Grozdeva-Grigorova (Bulgarian: Мария Здравкова Гроздева-Григорова; born on 23 June 1972) is a Bulgarian retired sport shooter, who competed in 25 metre pistol and 10 metre air pistol. She is the only woman to have successfully defended the 25 metre pistol title at the Olympic Games. She competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Women's 25 metre pistol, and Women's 10 metre air pistol.[1]
Apart from her five Olympic medals including two gold medals, Grozdeva also has been successful at CISM World Championships and ISSF World Cups. She is also the current holder of the final world record in 25 metre pistol.[2]
Grozdeva was born on 23 June 1972 in Sofia. She began shooting at the age of 11, and graduated in sports shooting from the National Sports Academy.[3] She is married to her coach Valeri Grigorov, with whom she has three children.[4]
Grozdeva announced her decision to retire from professional sports after competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics.[5] She was among the founders of the Bulgarian Shooting Union and served as its president between 2012 and 2022, being succeeded by Vesela Letcheva.[6]
In, 2009 Grozdeva competed as a house guest in the third season of the reality show VIP Brother.[7] She made it into the final three and then placed runner up for the season.[8]
| Event | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=left | 25 metre pistol | 18th 574 | 21st 574 | Gold 589+101.3 | Gold 585+103.2 | 5th 583+203.6 | 9th 583 | 27th 578 | |
| align=left | 10 metre air pistol | Bronze 383+98.6 | Bronze 389+99.5 | 38th 367 | Bronze 386+96.3 | 11th 382 | 24th 378 | 43rd 559 |