Ivan Chakarov


Ivan Chakarov, also known as "James Dean" of weightlifting, born 1966, is a Bulgarian world class weightlifter who won gold medals in the 91 kg class at the 1993 World Weightlifting Championships in Melbourne, Australia and in the 90 kg class at the 1991 European Weightlifting Championships in Władysławowo, Poland. He also competed in the men's middle heavyweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Chakarov won European Cup with the team of Bulgaria in Angers 1988 and Sofia 1989. He began training in 1979 at the Chernomorets Burgas Club. His first coach is Konstantin Darov. Chakarov competed for Chernomorets until 1985. After that, until the end of his long and successful career, he competed only for CSKA Sofia. His personal coaches were Andon Nikolov, Rumen Alexandrov and Neno Terziyski. Chakarov has set two world records.

Personal Bests

Weightlifting

Other exercises

No-No-No Squats

Chakarov was exceptional in the Back Squat, and squatted 270 kg for 3 deep repetitions at the 1993 World Weightlifting Championships. This feat became well known as the "No-No-No" squat, as Chakarov did not use a lifting belt, knee wraps, or spotters for this attempt.