Maria Grozdeva

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Maria Grozdeva

| image = Maria grozdeva.jpg

| caption = Grozdeva in 2014

| fullname = Maria Zdravkova Grozdeva

| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|23 June 1972}}

| birth_place = Sofia, Bulgaria

| headercolor = lightsteelblue

| show-medals = yes

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{BUL}} }}

}}

Maria Zdravkova Grozdeva-Grigorova ({{langx|bg|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.{{Cite web|title=Shooting GROZDEVA Maria - Tokyo 2020 Olympics|url=https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/shooting/athlete-profile-n1303788-grozdeva-maria.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=21 September 2021|publisher=Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901195227/https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/olympic-games/en/results/shooting/athlete-profile-n1303788-grozdeva-maria.htm}}

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.{{Cite web|title=ISSF - International Shooting Sport Federation|url=https://www.issf-sports.org/athletes/athlete.ashx?personissfid=SHBULW2306197201|access-date=1 September 2021|publisher=International Shooting Sport Federation}} She was named the 2004 Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year. She was also named the 2004 BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.bta.bg/bg/news/sport/bg/816349-vsichki-pobediteli-v-anketata-na-bta-sportist-na-balkanite-|title= Всички победители в анкетата на БТА "Спортист на Балканите"|date=January 17, 2025 |publisher=www.bta.bg|author=Dimitar Veliov |access-date=May 16, 2025}}

Life

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.{{Cite web|first=Georgi|last=Banov|date=23 June 2022|title=Мария Гроздева на 50: И сега не ми стига времето, но поне е без големия стрес|url=https://www.24chasa.bg/sport/article/11880862|access-date=16 February 2023|website=24 Chasa|language=bg}} She is married to her coach Valeri Grigorov, with whom she has three children.{{Cite web|date=3 October 2013|title=Мария Гроздева: Да отгледаш три деца е по-лесно, отколкото да бориш простаци, които пречат|url=https://www.24chasa.bg/ozhivlenie/article/2335793|access-date=16 February 2023|website=24 Chasa|language=bg}}

Grozdeva announced her decision to retire from professional sports after competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web|date=1 August 2021|title=Мария Гроздева: Готвех се за край на кариерата от половин година|url=https://www.24chasa.bg/sport/article/10039997|access-date=16 February 2023|website=24 Chasa|language=bg}} She was among the founders of the Bulgarian Shooting Union and served as its president between 2012 and 2022, being succeeded by Vesela Letcheva.{{Cite web|first=Edward|last=Papazyan|date=28 February 2022|title=Весела Лечева: Изборът ми за председател на съюза по стрелба не означава напускане на политиката|url=https://www.24chasa.bg/sport/article/10997448/|access-date=16 February 2023|website=24 Chasa|language=bg}}

Other endeavors

In, 2009 Grozdeva competed as a house guest in the third season of the reality show VIP Brother.{{Cite web|title=Bulgaria Much Anticipated VIP Brother 3 Begins with Political Scandal|url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/102019/Bulgaria+Much+Anticipated+VIP+Brother+3+Begins+with+Political+Scandal|date=17 March 2009|access-date=1 September 2021|website=Novinite}} She made it into the final three and then placed runner up for the season.{{Cite web|title=TV Presenter Deo Wins Bulgaria's Charity VIP Brother|url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/103475/TV+Presenter+Deo+Wins+Bulgaria%D0%B2%D0%82%E2%84%A2s+Charity+VIP+Brother|date=11 May 2009|access-date=16 February 2023|website=Novinite}}