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

"You are the Winner" sports festival in support of the "sunny children"

The track and field tournament "You are the Winner" will be held today in the capital's "Asics Arena". The event is held under the auspices of President Rumen Radev and is for a charitable cause - in support of the "sunny children"...

published on 3/8/25 7:05 AM
Viktoriya Tomova

Viktoriya Tomova defeats Olga Danilovic at Indian Wells

Viktoriya Tomova started the Indian Wells tennis tournament with a win against Olga Danilović (Serbia). Tomova won in straight sets (6-2, 6-3) after 98 minutes of play. Viktoriya   Tomova had the upper hand in all aspects of the game against..

published on 3/7/25 10:10 AM
Eddie Penev

Bulgarian gymnasts advance to the final of the World Cup in Baku

Bulgarian gymnasts Dimitar Dimitrov and Eddie Penev qualified for the floor final on  the first day of the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku (Azerbaijan). This is the first competition of the year for Dimitrov, who received a score of 13.366..

published on 3/6/25 2:32 PM