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23 Facts About Dan Kolov

1.

Doncho Kolev Danev, better known by the ring name Dan Kolov, was a Bulgarian professional wrestler born in Sennik, Bulgaria who was the first European freestyle wrestling champion from Bulgaria.

2.

Dan Kolov won the European gold in 1936 in the championship in Paris, which was the second distinction for Bulgaria after the world title of Nikola Petrov from 1900.

3.

Dan Kolov was inducted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2020.

4.

Dan Kolov was seven years old when his father died.

5.

Dan Kolov left Bulgaria in 1905 and went to then Austro-Hungarian Empire.

6.

Dan Kolov left Bulgaria and moved to the United States at the age of 13.

7.

Dan Kolov worked various jobs until he found work as a railroad construction worker.

8.

Dan Kolov impressed people with his physical power and became famous for his ability to twist metal rails around his neck.

9.

Dan Kolov was hired as a wrestler with "Victoria Circus".

10.

Dan Kolov was the first wrestler who captured professional world heavyweight wrestling championship's "Diamond Belt" twice.

11.

Dan Kolov was three times European Heavyweight Champion.

12.

In 1937, Dan Kolov defeated then European Heavyweight Champion, American Al Pereira, only for Pereira to win the title back and for Dan Kolov to reclaim it, before losing it in turn to Joe Savoldi.

13.

Dan Kolov started his career as a wrestler by taking part in the organised wrestling matches between the workers.

14.

Dan Kolov later won the tournament in the circus "Victoria" in 1914, when the director of the circus invited people from the public to compete and check their physical power with the star Jeff Lawrence "The Cyclope".

15.

Dan Kolov accepted the challenge and he succeeded in overpowering the 233 pound wrestler.

16.

Dan Kolov won against many famous wrestlers from that time such as Jeff Lawrence, Stanislaus Zbyszko, Jack Shirey, Rudy Dusek, Jo Stecker, Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Jim Browning.

17.

Dan Kolov refused it with the words: "Dan Kolov is Bulgarian".

18.

Dan Kolov remained proud Bulgarian until his death and was famous for his words: "I feel strong, because I am Bulgarian".

19.

Dan Kolov is remembered for helping many Bulgarian people in the country and abroad.

20.

Dan Kolov arranged many wrestling matches in Sofia and donated all the profits.

21.

Dan Kolov died in Bulgaria on 27 March 1940 from tuberculosis.

22.

Dan Kolov's coffin was carried by officers of the Ninth Artillery Corps from the town of Sevlievo escorted by an honorary company of cavalry.

23.

Dan Kolov was buried with the specific request of facing the Balkan.