site.btaBulgarian Weightlifting Legend Ivan Abadjiev Dies

Bulgarian Weightlifting Legend Ivan Abadjiev Dies

Sofia, March 25 (BTA) - Legendary weightlifting coach Ivan Abadjiev died at the age of 85, his family said.
 
Abadjiev was born in Novi Pazar on February 12, 1932. He was a silver medalist at the 1957 World Weightlifting Championship in Tehran and took part in the Rome Olympics in 1960. In 1969 he took over as senior coach of the national weightlifting team and remained on this position for some 30 years. During this period the gold medals won by the team included 12 at Olympic games, 57 at world and 64 at European championships.

In 2013 he was decorated with the Balkan Range order.

President Radev offered his condolences to the bereaved family.