SYDNEY, Sept 17 (Hina) - Croatian weightlifter Nikolay Pechalov claimed gold in the men's 63 kg category at the 27th Olympic Games in Sydney on Sunday, winning Croatia's second gold medal ever. Croatia's first Olympic gold was won by
its team-handball players at the Olympics in Atlanta. Lifting a total of 325 kg, Pechalov equalled the world record set in Sofia early this year and set the new Olympic record.
SYDNEY, Sept 17 (Hina) - Croatian weightlifter Nikolay Pechalov
claimed gold in the men's 63 kg category at the 27th Olympic Games in
Sydney on Sunday, winning Croatia's second gold medal ever.
Croatia's first Olympic gold was won by its team-handball players
at the Olympics in Atlanta.
Lifting a total of 325 kg, Pechalov equalled the world record set in
Sofia early this year and set the new Olympic record. #L#
The owner of nine medals from world and European championships,
including a gold medal from Barcelona and a bronze from Atlanta,
which he claimed under the Bulgarian flag, Pechalov added today's
medal to his collection as a member of the Croatian team.
Greece's Leonidas Sabanis took the silver and Sevdalin Minchev
claimed bronze.
"I am thrilled about winning the medal. This is not a medal for
Croatia or Bulgaria but for me and all friends and athletes who have
encouraged and supported me," said the 30-year-old Bulgarian with a
Croatian passport.
Pechalov was especially impressed with the atmosphere at the
Convention Centre and the cheering of some 100 Croatians, headed by
tennis player Goran Ivanisevic.
"Members of the Croatian Olympic team have accepted me in the most
beautiful way and I am thrilled over their support," said Pechalov,
who came to Croatia in late 1997.
(hina) rml