Snowboarder Malena Zamfirova back in Bulgaria, begins rehabilitation

Bulgaria’s top snowboarder Malena Zamfirova has returned to Bulgaria and has already begun active rehabilitation, the Bulgarian Ski Federation announced.

The 16-year-old athlete suffered a serious accident on March 3 on a slope in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic. She subsequently underwent several surgeries on her thigh, pelvis, and shoulder at a clinic in Graz, Austria. Despite the severity of her injuries, Zamfirova is now able to move independently and can even climb stairs with the help of crutches.

Snowboarder Malena Zamfirova seriously injured in accident in the Czech Republic

Her recovery is expected to continue through the autumn. Her team has set an ambitious goal for her to return in time for a FIS Snowboard World Cup event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, scheduled for December.

Before this season, Zamfirova achieved two third-place finishes in World Cup competitions and placed in the top 10 nine times overall. On her debut at the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026 in February, she finished in tenth place. She also recorded two victories in the European Cup.

Malena Zamfirova wins European Cup women's parallel giant slalom in Bansko

Edited by Miglena Ivanova