Georgi Kostadinov - the first boxer to conquer the Olympic peak

.

The Olympic Games in Tokyo can undoubtedly be defined as the most successful in the history of Bulgarian sports. Three gold medals, a silver medal and two bronze medals reminded the world that talent is born at home. Long forgotten in terms of sports achievements, our country had forgotten how "Proud Stara Planina" sounds from the highest step. However, the heroines from Tokyo - Ivet Goranova, Stoika Krasteva and the girls from the rhythmic gymnastics ensemble revived these emotions. Inevitably after such successes comes a time for stocktaking, and it logically leads us to the primary sources of inspiration. One of them is Georgi Kostadinov, Bulgaria's first Olympic boxing champion. One of the inspirations boxers like Stoika Krasteva, who years later also conquered the top.

Georgi Kostadinov was born in 1950. He won his Olympic title when he was only 22 years old. At the Munich Games, the Bulgarian is a sensation. He defeats everyone in his path, and what he does in the final becomes a lesson for generations of boxers. In category up to 51 years. Kostadinov is unbreakable, but no one is stronger than fate. In 1972 at the biggest sports forum on the planet, it is she who decides to test his will and spirit. In the final, in the battle for the gold, Kostadinov enters with severe injuries on both hands. His strongest weapon has been compromised. In his way stands an equally ambitious and talented competitor - Rwabogo from Uganda. Fate puts Kostadinov in a difficult situation. Despite everything, he succeeds. Bulgaria is at the top in boxing. Kostadinov won the first Olympic gold.

Nothing then foreshadows that the winner of three "Strandja" cups will end his career only 3 years after winning the most valuable in the sport. Over the years, Kostadinov successively worked as a coach, teacher of physical education and sports, and then as the chief expert for the Municipality of Burgas on sports. Although his active career did not last long, Georgi Kostadinov's achievement from the Games in 1972. will forever remain a part of the history of boxing in our country.

.