Atanas Kirov facts for kids
![]() At the 1969 World Weightlifting Championships
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quick facts for kids Personal information |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born | Burgas, Bulgaria |
24 September 1946||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 27 January 2017 Sofia, Bulgaria |
(aged 70)||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 156 cm | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 56 kg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Weightlifting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club | Neftochimic Burgas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
|
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.
Contents
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.