Velik Nikolov KAPSAZOV

Velik Kapsazov started out as a weightlifter before switching to gymnastics in his late teens. He was on the Bulgaria national team from 1954-64, and competed at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics as a gymnast. In 1960 Kapsazov won a bronze medal on the rings, tied with Japanese star Takashi Ono. This was the first Olympic medal ever won by a Bulgarian gymnast. Kapsazov also won rings gold at the 1961 and 1963 European Championships, and a rings bronze in 1959. He won three medals at the 1961 Universiade, with gold on rings and parallel bars, and a bronze in all-around. After finishing his sporting career, worked as a gymnastics coach, his most famous pupil being multiple Olympic medalist Yordan Yovchev.