site.btaMonument to Weightlifter Naim Suleymanoglu Unveiled in Istanbul

A monument to legendary weightlifter Naim Suleymanoglu was unveiled in Istanbul's Naim Suleymanoglu Park in the presence of many people from Turkiye and Bulgaria. The bronze-cast figure of the Bulgaria-born setter of weightlifting records is an idea of Kartal Municipality jointly with the local association of Turks from Bulgaria and the Balkans, Balkanlilar.

Sculptor Huseyin Yucel told BTA that the sculpture is 1,47 cm high, which was Suleymanoglu's height.

Kartal Mayor Gokhan Yuksel said that Suleymanoglu is a symbol for Turks from Bulgaria living in Kartal, not only because of the records he set but also because he defended the democratic rights of the person. "Our municipality is proud to have made a contribution so that it may serve as an example for the future generations as well," he said.

Attending the ceremony were current and former athletes, Kartal residents, representatives of the Bulgarian Consulate General in Istanbul, expat associations from Avcilar, Izmir, Yalova, Kocaeli, and twin municipalities in Bulgaria (Kardzhali, Momchilgrad, Ardino, Rouen).

Also among the guests was Suleymanoglu's brother and coach Muharrem Suleymanoglu. He said that six years after his brother's passing, Naim's name and example continue to unite the people from Turkiye and Bulgaria, and that is the best feeling.