| Intro | Croatian weightlifter of Bulgarian descent |
| Is |
Athlete Weightlifter |
| From | Bulgaria |
| Type | Sports |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 30 May 1970, Pazardzhik, Pazardzhik Municipality, Pazardzhik Province, Bulgaria |
| Age: | 50 years |
| Star sign | Gemini |
Nikolaj Pešalov (Bulgarian: Николай Славев Пешалов, Nikolay Slavev Peshalov; born on May 30, 1970 in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria) is an Olympic and World former champion in weightlifting. For the first part of his career he competed under the Bulgarian flag, but later moved to Croatia which he represented internationally.
During his long and successful career, Pešalov was World champion eight times in various categories and disciplines, and broke several world records. His Olympic medals are split between Bulgaria (1992 and 1996) and Croatia (2000 and 2004). In 2000 he was granted Croatian citizenship, and he now holds a Croatian passport. He resides in both Sofia (Bulgaria) and Split (Croatia).
Further achievements
- Senior world champion (1990, 1993, 1994);
- Silver medalist in Senior World Championships (1989 and 1998);
- Bronze medalist in Senior World Championships (1995);
- Senior European champion (1991–1995, 1997, 2000, 2001);
- Silver medalist in Senior European Championships (1989, 1990, 2004);
- Set five world records during career.
Weightlifting career bests
- Snatch: 150.0 kg in the class to 62 kg;
- Clean and jerk: 187.5 kg 2004 Summer Olympics in the class to 69 kg;
- Total: 312.5 kg (137.5 + 175.0) 1992 European Weightlifting Championships in the class to 60 kg;
- Total: 325.0 kg 2000 Summer Olympics in the class to 62 kg (Olympic record);
- Total: 337.5 kg 2004 Summer Olympics in the class to 69 kg.