Atanas Kirov facts for kids

At the 1969 World Weightlifting Championships
Quick facts for kids Personal information
Born	(1946-09-24)24 September 1946 Burgas, Bulgaria
Died	27 January 2017(2017-01-27) (aged 70) Sofia, Bulgaria
Height	156 cm
Weight	56 kg
Sport
Sport	Weightlifting
Club	Neftochimic Burgas
Medal record Representing  Bulgaria World Weightlifting Championships Silver 1969 Warsaw -56 kg Gold 1973 Havana -56 kg Gold 1974 Manila -56 kg Gold 1975 Moscow -56 kg European Weightlifting Championships Gold 1969 Warsaw -56 kg Gold 1973 Madrid -56 kg Gold 1974 Verona -56 kg Gold 1975 Moscow -56 kg Balkan Weightlifting Championships Gold 1968 Yambol -56 kg Gold 1969 Bucharest -56 kg Gold 1973 Athens -56 kg Gold 1974 Burgas -56 kg Danube Cup Gold 1967 Bratislava -56 kg Gold 1970 Sofia -56 kg Gold 1973 Havirov -56 kg Gold 1975 Donaueschingen -56 kg Silver 1972 Budapest -60 kg Bronze 1969 Bucharest -56 kg Bulgarian Weightlifting Championships Gold 1967 Sofia -56 kg Gold 1968 Sofia -56 kg Gold 1969 Sofia -56 kg Gold 1970 Sofia -56 kg Gold 1972 Sofia -56 kg Gold 1975 Yambol -56 kg Gold 1976 Dimitrovgrad -60 kg Gold 1977 Yambol -56 kg Gold 1979 Sofia -56 kg Silver 1966 Veliko Tarnovo -60 kg Silver 1971 Sofia -60 kg Silver 1973 Vidin -60 kg Bronze 1965 Asenovgrad -56 kg

Atanas Kirov (Bulgarian: Атанас Киров) was a famous Bulgarian weightlifter. He was born on September 24, 1946, in Burgas, Bulgaria, and passed away on January 27, 2017, in Sofia. Kirov was known for competing in the bantamweight class, which is for lighter athletes. He became a three-time World Champion and won four European titles.

Early Life and Career

Atanas Kirov started his weightlifting journey in 1962. He joined the Chernomorets Club and trained with coach Ilya Babachev. Later, he moved to the Neftochimic Burgas club. Kirov was not very tall, standing at 156 cm (about 5 feet 1 inch). This height was perfect for the bantamweight category, where he became a dominant force in Bulgaria for ten years.

Olympic Games Appearances

Atanas Kirov represented Bulgaria in two Olympic Games.

• In 1968, he competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics and finished in 7th place.
• At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, he improved his performance, placing 4th. He also set a new Bulgarian record at this event.

World and European Championships

Kirov had an amazing career in international competitions.

• In 1969, he won a silver medal at the World Weightlifting Championships in Warsaw. He also became the European Champion that same year.
• From 1973 to 1975, Atanas Kirov was unstoppable. He won the World Championship title three years in a row. This period marked the beginning of Bulgaria's strong presence in weightlifting.
• He also continued his success at the European Championships, winning titles in 1973, 1974, and 1975.

Setting World Records

Atanas Kirov was not just winning titles; he was also setting new records.

• In September 1973, in Havana, Cuba, he set an official world record by lifting a total of 257.5 kg.
• He broke his own record in February 1974 in his hometown of Burgas, lifting an impressive 260.0 kg.

Legacy and Recognition

Atanas Kirov is considered a very important figure in Bulgarian weightlifting. He helped pave the way for many other great Bulgarian lifters, especially in the lighter weight classes. For his incredible achievements, he was made an honorary citizen of his hometown, Burgas.