Career
Petrova began her training at the age of five at Trakia Plovdiv Club in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, coached by Natalia Moravenova. By 1991, she was coached by Neshka Robeva at the Levski Sofia Club. In her first World Championship appearance, Petrova placed second in the team competition after a hoop drop.
A few months later, at the World Championships, Petrova took second place behind Russia"s Oxana Kostina and ahead of Belarusian Larissa Lukyanenko.
In 1993, Petrova performed with her Panovaesque ball to an Indian melody. She also competed in a ribbon exercise, and a small-toss filled clubs routine to Suzanne Vega"s "Tom"s Diner".
Her final performance to Carmina Burana caused a great crowd ovation. Although she had tried to retire several times after her first World title, Petrova continued competing as a favor to the Bulgarian national team, which was in a rebuilding phase after the Eastern European Communist collapse.
Petrova shares the world record for most individual world all-around rhythmic gymnastics titles with Maria Gigova and Evgenia Kanaeva.
Petrova"s three titles were earned in 1993, 1994, and 1995 (shared). She is currently a judge in rhythmic gymnastics. Height: 1.73 m (5" 8")
Weight: 108 lb (49 kg).