1. Overview
Borislav Krastev Gidikov (Борислав Кръстев ГидиковBulgarian; born November 3, 1965) is a former Bulgarian weightlifter. He achieved significant success in his career, becoming an Olympic Champion in 1988 at the Seoul Olympics in the middleweight (75kg) class, where he lifted a total of 827 lb (375 kg). Gidikov also won the 1987 World Weightlifting Championships and set a world record in the 75kg category in the same year.
2. Life
Borislav Gidikov's life journey is marked by his early decision to pursue weightlifting, his dedicated career, and his post-retirement contributions to the sport.
2.1. Birth and early life
Borislav Krastev Gidikov was born on November 3, 1965, in Pazardzhik, Pazardzhik Province, Bulgaria.
2.2. Anecdote on choosing sport
An interesting anecdote surrounds Gidikov's initial decision to choose weightlifting over football. His father, who worked as a bus driver for the Hebar Pazardzhik football club, advised him that in football, he would depend on ten other people, whereas in weightlifting, his success would depend solely on himself. This advice led Borislav to choose weightlifting, a decision that eventually saw him become one of the greatest Bulgarian weightlifters of the 1980s.
2.3. Weightlifting career
Gidikov's professional weightlifting career spanned over a decade, marked by his affiliations with prominent clubs, training under renowned coaches, and achieving significant victories in major international competitions.
2.3.1. Early career and clubs
Gidikov's competitive career as a weightlifter extended from 1979 to 1990. Initially, until 1983, he competed for Hebar Pazardzhik. Subsequently, from 1983 until 1990, he represented Slavia Sofia.
2.3.2. Coaches
Throughout his career, Borislav Gidikov trained under several notable coaches. His personal trainers were Hristo Popov and Lyudmil Kochev. On the Bulgarian national team, he was coached by the highly regarded Ivan Abadjiev.
2.3.3. Major competition results
Gidikov's career was highlighted by several major victories, including world and Olympic titles, and the establishment of a world record.
3. Post-retirement activities
Following his retirement from competitive weightlifting, Borislav Gidikov continued to contribute to the sport. He served as the former Secretary General of the Bulgarian Weightlifting Federation.
4. Assessment and legacy
Borislav Gidikov is recognized as one of the greatest Bulgarian weightlifters of the 1980s. His Olympic gold medal, World Championship title, and world record contributed significantly to Bulgaria's strong reputation in the sport of weightlifting during that era.