Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Olympic weightlifting medalist Velichko Cholakov passed away

Photo: library

Fans of sport in Bulgaria were saddened on Sunday by the news of the sudden death of Bulgarian weightlifting champion Velichko Cholakov, aged 35. 

Cholakov felt bad in the morning in his home and doctors were called but the emergency team could not save him. The weightlifter, also known as Iron Man, had a heart condition but the reason for his death is yet to be confirmed.

Velichko Cholakov was a bronze medalist from the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 in the 105-kg category, which makes him the only Bulgarian Olympic medalist in weightlifting in this heaviest category. Cholakov also grabbed the world champion's title, as well as the European champion's title in the same category.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Viktoria Radeva

Two victories and three losses for Bulgaria at the European Women's Individual Classical Chess Championship

Viktoria Radeva and Antoaneta Stefanova secured victories in the seventh round of the European Women's Individual Classical Chess Championship on the Greek island of Rhodes. Viktoria Radeva defeated Ines Prado (Spain) and, with 4.5 points,..

published on 4/8/25 10:21 AM
Стилияна Николова

Three golds, a silver and a bronze for Bulgaria's rhythmic gymnasts in Sofia

Stiliana Nikolova, who finished second in the all-around at the 2025 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Sofia, won gold medals in the hoop and ball finals. Bulgaria's other individual competitor, Eva Brezalieva , won a bronze medal in the..

published on 4/6/25 4:31 PM
Beloslava Krasteva

Two wins for Bulgaria at the European Chess Championship in Rhodes

Beloslava Krasteva defeated the European Champion Ulviyya Fataliyeva from Azerbaijan with the white pieces in the sixth round of the European Women's Individual Classical Chess Championship on the Greek island of Rhodes. So far she is 24th in the..

published on 4/6/25 10:34 AM