Bulgarian Weightlifters Angel Rusev and Deniz Danev Fail at World Championships in Ningbo
The 2026 World Weightlifting Championships opened in Ningbo, China, with an immediate disaster for the Bulgarian national team as 60-kilogram competitors Angel Rusev and Deniz Danev both recorded zero totals and missed the official competition protocol, segabg.com reported on October 28, 2026.
The 60-Kilogram Collapse
Angel Rusev entered his sixth world championship appearance seeking a strong start in the 60-kg category, opening with a snatch attempt at 115 kg.
Deniz Danev fared little better in the same division. bTV Media Group reported that the 23-year-old lifter successfully cleared 115 kg and 117 kg in the snatch before missing at 119 kg to take 10th place in that movement. However, Danev failed all three attempts in the clean and jerk, missing once at 148 kg and twice at 150 kg by merely lifting the barbell off the platform and dropping it back down, leaving him without an official total. Just half a year earlier, Danev placed sixth at the European Championships in Batumi, securing a silver medal in the clean and jerk with 151 kg, segabg.com noted.
Podium Results in the Opening Category
China’s Yan Yan claimed the world title in the 60-kg category with a total of 304 kg, combining a 136-kg snatch and a 168-kg clean and jerk, segabg.com reported. North Korean competitors filled the next positions on the leaderboard. Pang Un Chol took second place with a 300-kg total built on 130 kg in the snatch and 170 kg in the clean and jerk. Paks In Song matched the 300-kg total with 129 kg and 171 kg respectively, taking third place because he registered his total after his teammate.
Injured Bulgarian Athletes Prepare for Ningbo World Championships
Three Bulgarian athletes remain on the entry list for the remainder of the Ningbo world championships, segabg.com reported. Two-time European champion Ivan Dimov is slated to compete next in the 65-kg category. Dimov is carrying a torn thigh muscle, prompting coaches to lower his entry weight by nearly 100 kg and drop him into the lowest Group D, leaving his participation in doubt. Olympic, three-time world, and four-time European champion Carlos Nasar will defend his crown on November 4 in the 95-kg category, bTV Media Group reported. Nasar enters the competition after overcoming a burst vein in his preparation. Hristo Hristov will conclude the Bulgarian campaign on November 6 in the 110-kg division.
bTV Media Group is broadcasting the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships directly from Ningbo across its television channels and online platform VOYO, covering the competition through November 8, 2026.
Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.