Dan Kolov

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Dan Kolov (1892 - 1940), born Doncho Kolеv (Bulgarian: Дончо Колев), was a famous Bulgarian wrestler.

Born in the village of Sennik to a modest peasant family, Kolov 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 subsequently hired as a wrestler in the Victoria Circus.

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.

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 Deglan -1933

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.

Kolov died on March 27^th 1940 of tuberculosis.

Today, 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.