IWF120y/65 – 1972: Norair Nurikian, the first Bulgarian golden lifter

The first day of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games was on and among the weightlifters it was the moment of the weigh-in for the initial category (men’s 60kg) of the competition, to be held the following day. Norair Nurikian was a Bulgarian lifter, born in 1948 to Armenian parents, and was ready for the competition. While on the bus going to the weigh-in, the vehicle burst into flames, but quickly another one is found and Nurikian and others could proceed to the venue (if not, they would have been disqualified). The destiny worked well, as Nurikian became the first-ever Olympic (gold) medallist for his country in weightlifting, winning his category in 127.5-117.5-157.5-402.5. It was the beginning of a successful saga for Bulgarian weightlifting, a sport that has since then brought 39 Olympic medals to the country. Nurikian’s feat in Germany was not an isolated one: four years later, in Montreal, he earns his second gold medal at the Games, this time in the 56kg category (117.5-145-262.5). At the IWF Worlds, he was not so successful, but still manages to climb on three occasions on the podium – silver in 1973 and bronze in 1971 and 1974. Finally, he is also the European champion in 1976 and establishes five World Records during his career. Nurikian was trained by coach Ivan Abadjiev, considered the “Father of Bulgarian Weightlifting”, having produced many Olympic and world champions. Nurikian married soon after the 1972 Olympics, had a son in 1974, and died in March 2025, aged 76.