site.btaUPDATED Tervel Zamfirov Wins Snowboard Bronze, Bulgaria's Seventh Medal in Winter Olympics History

Bulgarian snowboarder Tervel Zamfirov won the bronze medal in the men's parallel giant slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Sunday after he and his opponent in the small final, Tim Mastnak of Slovenia, appeared to cross the finish line simultaneously and the timing system initially failed to determine the winner. The jury had to review the video, and it awarded the victory to the Bulgarian talent.

Thus Zamfirov delivered Bulgaria’s first distinction from a Winter Olympics in 20 years.

He admitted that waiting for the result of the photo finish was one of the most nerve-racking moments of his life.

"It was very tense. A photo finish for third place. Either you leave with a medal or you do not. Overall, it was definitely one of the most stressful moments of my life, but sport has taught me patience and respect. If I had finished fourth, I would not have been unhappy. I am glad that things turned out as they did today, because I brought a medal for Bulgaria, which in the end is the most important goal," he said.

This is Bulgaria’s seventh medal in the history of the Winter Olympic Games, and only the second for sports governed by the Bulgarian Ski Federation, after cross-country skier Ivan Lebanov won the country’s debut Winter Games distinction with the bronze in the 30 kilometres at Lake Placid 1980.

Zamfirov commented: "I am extremely happy that I had this chance. I feel blessed to have brought home a medal. It is a huge joy and a great success for our entire team and for Bulgarian sport as a whole."

He chose the red course during the eliminations, even though the results on the blue course in the qualification suggested it was the faster one.

"I liked it more. The lower part of the course was very fast. In general I am strong on steep sections, while the flat parts are where I struggle a bit. I will work with my team to develop that. I knew that the flat section of the red course was the faster one, and I wanted to have the slower part where I am stronger – on the steep section – so that I could build a lead and then not be overtaken on the flat. I managed it every time; only the Korean beat me," the Bulgarian snowboarder explained.

"It was not pleasant to lose in the semi-final. I was leading and I could hear him behind me; I knew he was fast. I made a small mistake. At the delay gate I did not set up properly for the flat, which I corrected in the race for third place," he added.

Zamfirov believes that today’s competition will convince the IOC leadership to keep alpine snowboarding in the Olympic programme.

"This competition was unique, with extremely well-matched courses, long and beautiful. This is what our sport should look like. This is its true form. Many people, a sunny day, a long course with tension to the very last moment. Alpine snowboarding will definitely gain many points with the IOC. And so many countries took part. In the women’s top 16 there were 10 different countries, in the men’s – eight. An extraordinary achievement," he said.

Zamfirov also received special congratulations from the Bulgarian alpine skiing legend Petar Popangelov shortly after the finish.

Zamfirov, who is also the reigning world champion in parallel slalom from Engadin 2025, believes that his generation can achieve much more.

"Our generation is highly motivated. There are so many young Bulgarian athletes who are performing in a unique and impressive way in world sport. I think we are seeing a good crop coming through, and I am glad to be part of it. The others are really happy for me. I am a bit like the kid from kindergarten," he said.

"Here we achieved a historic result for Bulgaria with three Bulgarians in the finals and four in total at the Olympics. For us, as a non-Alpine nation without typical traditions in winter sports, this is a great success and a major breakthrough, because it shows that there is a school. We have a system that produces good young athletes, and it will continue to do so. We are actively involved in preparing children and future champions. I am extremely happy and grateful to be part of such a strong team as the Bulgarian one," the snowboarder added.

He believes that all Olympic participants deserve the highest mark. "At the Olympic Games everyone deserves top marks. After all, the whole world is competing for 30 seats in the examination hall; every person who has made it here deserves top marks. And yet, only three leave with medals," Zamfirov said.

"Tervel Zamfirov is Bulgaria’s hero today," wrote President Iliana Iotova on Facebook. “We are proud of his outstanding achievement, which brought our country its first Winter Olympic Games medal in 20 years,” she added.

“Amazing!!! Our first medal in 20 years!,” Bulgarian Olympic Committee President Vesela Lecheva wrote on Facebook shortly after Zamfirov’s success, sharing photos from the competition.