2024-02-18 07:13:45
Carlos Nassar bowed in front of the Bulgarian audience after winning the European title in the men’s 89 kg category at the weightlifting championship in Sofia.
“This title is Bulgarian – for all of you. Thank you to everyone who came to pay their respects to me in the hall. The title is for all Bulgarians. You were lifting those weights. I am a proud Bulgarian and I will continue to prove it. I love you,” declared Carlos Nassar to the excited fans at Arena Sofia, while standing on the #1 podium seconds after the award ceremony ended.
And then he bowed to every part of the hall. Carlos “exploded” the audience as soon as he stepped on the podium for the presentation of the contestants, appearing in a stylish Bulgarian costume.
Nassar triumphed in the 391 kg bout, taking the gold medals in both movements. In the throwing, the 19-year-old Bulgarian did it with a new world record for juniors – 176 kg. In the push, he won with 215 kg on his second attempt, and he did not make it to the third, for which he claimed 224 kg.
“It could have been better, but due to a leg cramp I decided not to go for my third attempt at the push. There is definitely more potential that can be unleashed. That the hall was filled was the real victory. That’s why I was so charged and energetic all the time, despite the ailments.
This is the real victory for Bulgaria. That so many people came to watch a Bulgarian European title. This race has become my favorite because of the fans. The feeling is great. The audience sang along with me, and this should have happened for the Bulgarian people,” said Nassar.
Carlos also announced his ambitions for 2024: “To participate in all competitions and everywhere – gold medals. We don’t stop training. Even next week I’m at a race again. I have not forgotten my goal, namely – the Olympic Games in Paris. And I will chase her to the end.”
In recent days, Carlos had health problems and a high fever. “I didn’t have a fever today, but I was dehydrated, which caused a cramp on my second push,” he explained.
However, on the last attempt he pulled off the request of 224 kg, which would have been a new world record for the push.
This provoked his main rival Antonino Pizzolato (Italy) to jump from the difficult 215 kg for his second attempt to the 222 kg that would have brought him the title, but failed at this impossible weight.
“The Italian’s request didn’t bother me. I even thought about showing him how it’s done, but I gave up. If it had been necessary, however, I believe I would have been able to handle it,” concluded Carlos Nassar.
Pizzolato took the silver medal with a 380kg bout. The bronze went to Marin Robu of Moldova with 378.
Nassar’s title is Bulgaria’s fourth overall at the European Championships in Sofia. Before that, Angel Rusev (category up to 55 kg), Gabriel Marinov (category up to 61 kg) and Bozhidar Andreev (category up to 73 kg) triumphed. Ivan Dimov won a silver medal in cat. up to 61 kg., and Dzhan Zarkov – bronze up to 55 kg.