Born: 1993
Biography:
Boyanka Kostova (Bulgarian: Боянка Костова) is a Bulgarian-born naturalized Azerbaijani weightlifter. She was born on May 10, 1993, and has made significant contributions to the sport through her exceptional skills and determination.
Kostova first rose to prominence on the international weightlifting stage when she competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women’s 58 kg category. Despite fierce competition, she showcased her talent and finished in an admirable fifth place. This achievement allowed her to gain recognition and establish herself as a formidable athlete on the global stage.
Throughout her career, Kostova faced immense challenges and struggles. In June 2016, the weightlifting world was shaken by the Russian doping scandal. As a result of retests conducted on samples taken from the 2012 Olympics, it was revealed that Kostova had tested positive for prohibited substances, specifically Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone and Stanozolol. Consequently, she lost all her results and medals earned from the date of the sample in 2012 until 2016.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Disciplinary Commission further disqualified Kostova from the 2012 Olympic Games in November 2016. This setback was undoubtedly devastating for Kostova, but it also highlighted the importance of fair play, clean sport, and the commitment to maintaining integrity in weightlifting.
Despite these challenges, Kostova showed remarkable resilience and determination to continue her career. In May 2021, she participated in the European Championships and proved her mettle by clinching the gold medal. However, her success was overshadowed when she tested positive for the banned substance Stanozolol once again.
As a result of her second doping violation, Kostova received an eight-year ban from the sport in October 2021. This ban serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining clean competition and preserving the integrity of weightlifting.
Beyond her accomplishments and controversies in the world of weightlifting, Kostova encountered legal troubles in her personal life. In early 2022, she was arrested for drug trafficking in Bulgaria. Consequently, she was sentenced to three years in prison. However, her sentence was later shortened until November 2022 to allow her to pursue a coaching career and study at the National Sports Academy (NSA) under the guidance of her former coach, Lachezar Kishkilov.
As an athlete who experienced both triumph and adversity, Boyanka Kostova’s journey serves as a cautionary tale but also as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of upholding the principles of fair play in the world of sports.