Stefan Botev

1968 -

Stefan Botev won two Olympic bronze medals during his fine weightlifting career, one for his native Bulgaria in 1992 and one for his new country, Australia, in 1996. Botev had won world and European titles before emigrating to Australia. His experience and ability to peak and perform at major events made him one of the leading athletes in his sport during the 1990s. Botev recorded a combined lift of 450 kilograms in Atlanta. The result was Australia’s fourth weightlifting medal in Olympic history. Botev has since been inducted into the International Weightlifting Federation’s Hall of Fame.