95 years since the birth of the first Bulgarian Olympic champion Nikola Stanchev

published on 9/11/25 9:33 AM

Nikola Stanchev

Photo: bul-wrestling.org

On September 11, 1930, in the village of Tvarditsa, Burgas region, Nikola Stanchev Nikolov was born.

A freestyle and classical wrestler, in 1956 he won the first Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling in the 79 kg category in Melbourne. He defeated Georgy Skhirtladze (USSR). He lost to Katsuramoto (Japan). He collected 5 penalty points and had to defeat his rivals only by pinfall. He won by pinfall against Ster (Germany) and Lindbland (Sweden), and in the final again by pinfall against Hodge (USA).

Nikola Stanchev became the first Olympic champion of Bulgaria and the world heard the Bulgarian anthem at the Olympic Games for the first time. He worked as a coach for a long time, died on July 13, 2009.

Learn more about the Bulgarian wrestling style and Bulgaria's successes in wrestling in the publications from the Radio Bulgaria collection: The Museum of Sports - a walk among medals, victories and glory.

Photos: bul-wrestling.org, bgolympic.org

Edited by Ivo Ivanov
English: R. Petkova

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95 years since the birth of the first Bulgarian Olympic champion Nikola Stanchev

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