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.

His idol

Mutlu is nicknamed the "Little Dynamo", but is called also "Little Naim" because Naim Süleymano?lu was his idol and, for some time, his coach in weightlifting. It is said that Mutlu even imitates Süleymano?lu by walking with his hands in his pockets. In fact, there are many similarities in the biographies of both Suleymanoglu and Mutlu.

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Both are ethnic Turks who were born and grew up in Bulgaria, a country famous for its world-class lifters. Both moved to Turkey. However, unlike Süleymano?lu who entered the international weightlifting arena representing Bulgaria, Mutlu relocated to Turkey at an early age in his career. Both became legends of weightlifting while competing in lighter weight classes. And of course, both won three Olympic gold medals. Despite many similarities with Süleymano?lu, Mutlu is an outstanding lifter of his own merit. He proved to be a unique athlete in terms of his technical skills and competitive spirit. Due to personal charisma and success in sports Mutlu is considered a successor of legendary "Pocket Hercules" Naim Süleymano?lu.

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