"The Pocket Hercules" Süleymanoğlu Breaks Weightlifting World Record - Seoul 1988 Olympics
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Weightlifter Naim Süleymanoğlu made his Olympic debut at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. He was quickly nicknamed “The Pocket Hercules“ for the combination of his short stature ( or 4ft10in) and incredible display of strength.
Born in Bulgaria to Turkish parents, Süleymanoğlu obtained Turkish citizenship in 1986 and was now representing Turkey in the weightlifting competition at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games.
“The Pocket Hercules“ lifted in the clean and jerk; and in the snatch, reaching a total of . This result gave him both the Olympic gold medal and new world record, by an impressive 30kg.
Naim Süleymanoğlu would still be back at the Olympic Games in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 to win two more Olympic gold medals and have his final Summer Games at Sydney 2000.
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