Kiril's Story
Kiril Kounev is an Australian weightlifter of Bulgarian origin who enjoyed an outstanding international career representing both Bulgaria and Australia. Born on 19 April 1968 in Galabovo, Bulgaria, he became a world and European champion before later competing for Australia.
Kounev represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the men's 83 kg division, narrowly missing a medal by finishing fourth. He later competed again at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in the 94 kg category.
One of Australia's most successful weightlifters of the era, Kounev won multiple Commonwealth Games gold medals and claimed a bronze medal at the 1993 World Championships while representing Australia. His fourth-place finish in Atlanta remains one of the strongest Olympic performances by an Australian weightlifter.
