In 1980, a special edition of the World Championships was staged in Sittard, holding events not yet on the Olympic programme. Pfaff won the bronze medal in the 400 m hurdles behind compatriots Bärbel Broschat and Ellen Neumann. Pfaff later won the silver medal in the women's 400m hurdles at the 1982 European Championships behind Sweden's Ann-Louise Skoglund.