Mariya Oryashkova
Fifteen world medals built on never standing still
- Born
- January 12, 1988, Pirdop, Bulgaria
- Nationality
Bulgaria- Style
- Non-stop pressure attacker
- Weight
- 80 kg
- Active
- 2006–2021
- Status
- Retired · age 38
The medals
6 world titles and 15 world medals at 80 kg (2006–2021); 2019 European Games champion
The story
ariya Oryashkova was discovered in Panagyurishte by the sambo world champion Ivan Netov, who coached her for years. She won her first world title at 18, at home in Sofia in 2006, and was still reaching world podiums 15 years later: six world titles in the 80 kg class, 15 world medals in all, at least ten European titles and the 2019 European Games gold in Minsk, where she also entered the wrestling event. She competed in judo and sumo too. Against bigger opponents her plan was to stay out of their grip, keep moving and attack first, because in her words, stopped means lost. In 2021 she won the first World Beach Sambo Championships and was elected to the FIAS executive committee. She earned a doctorate in sports science in 2022 and retired in 2023.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- World champion, 80 kg (2006, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2019, 2020)
- European champion, 80 kg (at least 10 titles, 2006–2021)
- European Games champion, 80 kg (Minsk 2019)
- World Beach Sambo champion, +72 kg (2021, first edition)
- Golden Belt, Bulgarian martial arts awards (2019, 2020)
- 4th, Bulgarian Sportsperson of the Year (2020)
- Elected to the FIAS executive committee (2021)
Defining matches
- 2006WINvs Anastasia Matrosova (World Championships 80 kg final, Sofia; first world title, at 18)
- 2014LOSSvs Shori Hamada (World Championships 80 kg final, Narita)
- 2016WINvs Sviatlana Tsimashenka (World Championships 80 kg final, Sofia)
- 2019WINvs Zhanara Kusanova (European Games 80 kg final, Minsk)
- 2020WINvs Sviatlana Tsimashenka (World Championships 80 kg final, Novi Sad; sixth world title, 1-0)
Against a bigger partner, never let them settle their grip: break it, keep circling and attack first and often. Oryashkova's rule against heavier rivals was that the moment you stop, you lose.
2003–2023
