Zakopane, Poland — Bulgaria’s Tervel Zamfirov showcased his dominance at the World Youth Snowboarding Championships in Zakopane by securing his second gold medal in as many days, winning the parallel slalom title on Saturday.
The 18-year-old snowboarder, who had triumphed in the parallel giant slalom just a day earlier, delivered a flawless performance to claim his third career gold at the World Youth Championships and his sixth medal overall.
Zamfirov’s path to victory was marked by consistent speed and precision. After topping the qualification round, he maintained his lead through every stage of the competition.
In a repeat of Friday’s final, he faced Italy’s Tommy Rabanser for the gold medal, this time finishing an impressive 1.32 seconds ahead.
The young athlete’s journey to the top also included victories over Ukraine’s Mykhailo Kubalik in the round of 16, Austria’s Joachim Graffögl in the quarterfinals, and Italy’s Mike Santuari in the semifinals.
This latest achievement adds to Zamfirov’s growing legacy in youth snowboarding, which already includes a world championship gold won in Bansko in 2023.
With three world junior titles to his name, Zamfirov’s performances in Zakopane have further solidified his status as one of the sport’s most promising talents.
“It feels incredible to win back-to-back golds,” Zamfirov said after the race. “The competition was really tough, and I’m grateful for the support from my team and family. This is just the beginning—I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
The celebrations for the Zamfirov family did not end there. Tervel’s younger sister, Malena Zamfirova, also delivered a standout performance in the parallel slalom, winning her second silver medal of the championships.
At just 15 years old, Malena’s achievements in Zakopane have drawn widespread admiration. After finishing second in the qualification round, she advanced through the knockout stages by defeating Switzerland’s Anja Frank and Germany’s Zoe Jansing. In a tense semifinal, she overcame Germany’s Aurelia Buccioni to reach the final.
However, in the gold-medal race, Malena was bested by Switzerland’s Ksenia von Siebenthal, who took the title. Despite the loss, Malena’s consecutive silver medals in the parallel giant slalom and parallel slalom have marked her as a rising star in the sport.
“I’m really proud of my performance,” Malena said. “Of course, I wanted the gold, but I’ve learned so much from this experience. Watching my brother win two golds is a huge inspiration—I’ll be back even stronger next time.”
The Zamfirov siblings’ success has been a point of pride for Bulgarian snowboarding, reflecting the country’s growing presence on the international stage.
As the championships concluded, Bulgaria’s snowboarding federation praised the duo’s achievements, highlighting their potential for future senior competitions and Olympic aspirations.
With their combined tally of medals and the promise of even greater accomplishments ahead, Tervel and Malena Zamfirov have not only brought glory to Bulgaria but have also captivated the snowboarding world with their remarkable performances in Zakopane.