- Dan Kolov
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Dan Koloff (1892–1940), born Doncho Kolеv Danev (Bulgarian: Дончо Колев Данев), was a famous Bulgarian wrestler and a national hero of Bulgaria.
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Early years
A very brave man Born in the village of Sennik, Bulgaria to a modest peasant family (on December 27, 1892), Koloff immigrated to the United States at the age of 17. He found work as a railroad construction worker. He quickly impressed with his extraordinary physical power and became famous for his ability to twist metal rails around his neck. He even fought a bear, while hunting, with his bare hands for an hour and finally got the chance to kill the animal with his rifle. Witnesses saw scars of Koloff's hands on the neck of the bear. He was subsequently hired as a wrestler in the Victoria Circus.
Professional wrestling
Before being discovered and trained by Zbyszko Cyganiewicz, Dan Kolov was a self-taught wrestler.
His glory days were between 1918 and 1927 during which he was undefeated and won all 1,500 matches that he fought. He became the first wrestler to capture heavyweight wrestling's 'Diamond Belt' twice. He was beaten twice in his career.
His most famous victories are:
in New York vs. Latvian Rudy Dusek – 1919 in Tokyo vs. Jiki Higen -"The Strangler" – 1921 in Paris vs. Henri Deglane −1933
Return to Bulgaria
On his return to Bulgaria as a Heavyweight World Champion, he was welcomed by thousands as a national hero. In his homeland Dan Kolov devoted himself to charity, arranging many more matches in Sofia and donating all the proceeds to charity. The first Bulgarian passenger airplanes were bought with Kolov's financing.
Koloff died in his home village of Sennik on March 27, 1940 of tuberculosis. His coffin was carried by officers of the Ninth Artillery Corps from the town of Sevlievo also escorted by an honourary company of cavalery.
Nowadays, there is a major wrestling tournament in Bulgaria held annually in his honour. Kolov remains a national hero and is still widely considered as the best wrestler of all time.
Quotations
- " I feel strong, because I'm a Bulgarian " – When offered to change his citizenship
- " Harry, let's go back to Bulgaria, there's not a country like her " – To his friend and wrestler Haralampy " Harry " Stoev
- " I've gone out by foot and I'll come home on foot " – When offered a hansom back to his village.
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