The accident that suddenly changed the life of Mihail Hristov took place ten years ago when he was 15-years-old. An electric arc hit him and he miraculously survived, but his both hands needed to be amputated - one up to the elbow, the other - to the shoulder. However, Mihail gathered strength to go on, looking for a new way of life and finding it in the world of professional sports - in the long jump and sprint. A key role for his choice played a meeting with Paralympic champion in discus throw Stella Eneva. We asked Mihail Hristov what helped him in that difficult moment not to fall into isolation.

"Isolation is what usually happens to such people. People become encapsulated in their problems. At the beginning I found support in my parents and friends who were constantly with me. But the main factor to get out of the difficult situation was me. I told myself that I must continue to fight and show the world that there are no limits to human possibilities."

Mihail graduated from high school with excellent grades and became European and world record holder in the long jump twice. He received the Dignified Bulgarian Award in 2014. The formal reason for our meeting with Mihail was the recent IPC Athletics World Championships held in Qatar, where he placed fifth in the long jump with a score of 6.57 meters. That is the world of sports. Regardless of good preparation, sometimes momentary circumstances rearrange the list of winners and true sportsmen know how to win but also how to lose with dignity. Here's what Mihai told us about his participation in the World Championships:

"The competition was emotional and unpredictable. Some of the competitors were new to me and quite prepared. I am not satisfied with the result. I trained for over a year in order to be successful. But the weather and high humidity in Qatar also had effect on my performance.”

Mihail has a taste in challenges which give special flavour to his life. These challenges include contests against healthy athletes and machines too.

"I do not just compete against healthy athletes but I started winning against them and grab medals. One of my other dreams was competing against a car or a motorcycle to see if I can beat the machine in such an unequal contest. Therefore I took part in an experiment called "Mihail against the Machines." The motorcycle and car were driven by the best Bulgarian pilots - Angel Karanyotov and Krum Donchev. I prepared for quite some time for the race and I beat the machines at a 30-meter distance. People familiar with motor sports know that after this distance it is impossible to beat these types of sports machines. But at a short distance man can win."

And here is that Mihail Hristov told his fans:

"People should believe in themselves. In Bulgaria I see a bad trend - people do not have faith in themselves and their capabilities. They should realize that they can forge their own destiny. I wanted to drive a car and I do it; I wanted to be involved with professional sports and I do it. Our dreams are possible to fulfil.”

The young man does not hide his interest in politics. A year ago, he caused a sensation with a video message that urged MPs not to give empty promises and to do some actual work for the country and people. What is the way for making Bulgaria a better place to live in?

"There is one way – people should be united and have alert civic conscience. Politicians often forget that actually we are their employers. People need to express a position on the decisions politicians make and hold them responsible for their actions," long jump world champion Mihail Hristov says in conclusion.

English: Alexander Markov