Alexandra Nacheva Wins Bronze in Triple Jump at Euro 2026 Athletics

Aleksandra Nacheva Secures Bronze in Birmingham

Competing at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, Aleksandra Nacheva claimed the bronze medal with a mark of 14.40 meters, according to reports from fakti.bg and bta.bg. Nacheva achieved the winning distance during her second attempt with a following wind of 3.4 meters per second.

According to fakti.bg and bta.bg, that second-round jump marked her only legal mark of the competition. In her remaining attempts, the Bulgarian athlete pushed for a greater distance and registered fouls while trying to improve her standing.

— Aleksandra Nacheva, quoted by fakti.bg

В момента не знам какво да кажа точно. Едновременно знаех, че ще спечеля медал и не можех да вярвам… Просто съм много щастлива. През последните две години преминах през толкова тежки неща и контузии, че знам – заслужавам го! Всеки медал е ценен, но този е най-трудно извоюван и най-сладък от всички, защото при мъжете и жените тежи повече

Aleksandra Nacheva

The result marks a career milestone for Nacheva, who turns 25 years old on August 20, 2026, delivering her first major senior outdoor medal, as noted by fakti.bg. Previously, she won gold at the 2018 World Under-20 Championships in Tampere and the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, and she finished fourth at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.

Final Standings and Continental Competition

Italy’s Daria Derkach claimed the gold medal and the European lead for the season with a personal best of 14.60 meters, achieved during the fourth round of jumps, according to bta.bg and fakti.bg. Belgium’s Salia Gis took the silver medal with a mark of 14.46 meters on her fourth attempt, edging out Nacheva for second place.

Bulgaria fielded a second competitor in the final, with 34-year-old Gabriela Petrova finishing in 11th place, according to fakti.bg and bta.bg. Petrova opened with two fouls and recorded a cautious 13.75 meters on her third attempt, leaving her outside the top eight athletes who advanced to the final three rounds.

Broader Impact for Bulgarian Athletics

Nacheva’s bronze represents Bulgaria’s second medal of the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, following Bozhidar Saraboyukov’s bronze in the men’s long jump earlier in the event, according to bta.bg. The achievement also brings Bulgaria’s all-time medal tally at continental championships to 42.

Looking ahead, Nacheva stated to Sportal.bg, as cited by fakti.bg, that her long-term goal remains reaching the 15-meter mark at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.