Halil Mutlu

Halil Mutlu (born Huben Hubenov on July 14, 1973 in Postnik, Bulgaria) is a Turkish World and Olympic Champion in weightlifting. He won three Olympic Championships, five World Championships, nine European Championships and broke more than 20 world records at 52kg, 54kg and 56kg combined.

Highlights

• World junior champion (1993),
• Five-time world champion (2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1994 - 1st; 1995, 1993 - 2nd.),
• Nine-time European champion (2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994),
• 25 gold medals (8 Snatch, 8 Clean and Jerk, 9 Total) in total at European Championships, winner of the most gold medals second after David Rigert with 27 gold medals,
• Only fourth weightlifter to win three Olympic gold medals (2004, 2000, 1996),
• Virtually unchallenged since 1996; no active lifter has beaten Mutlu in a world-class event,
• Named as the "Sportsman of the year 1999" in Turkey,
• He is one of four men in history to lift three times his bodyweight,
• As a winner of three Olympic gold medals, Halil Mutlu definitely belongs to the all-time pantheon of the best Olympic weightlifters.