Naim Suleymanoglu - Pocket Hercules

Naim Suleymanoglu was known as the Pocket Hercules, the Man Who Lifts the World and the Turkish Superman.
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Naim did not come up with these names, Naim Suleymanoglu did not like to talk about himself, in fact. Naim, who broke the world records 46 times, earned these names.
Pocket Hercules
Naim Suleymanoglu was born in 1967 in Bulgaria. As a part of Bulgarian government's assimilation politics Naim's surname was assimilated as the surnames of all Turks. Naim Suleymanov, who started his career as a child, earned his first international medals at the age of 15. He won the World Junior Weightlifting championship in Brazil, broke his first world record, won two gold medals and became the champion. Naim, who broke the world record in the tournament in the US in February 1983, was the focal point of the entire US media. This hero of 147 centimeters in height got the name of "Pocket Hercules". This name has become so popular that Naim Suleymanoglu is now known worldwide as the Pocket Hercules.
The man who lifted the world
Naim Süleymanoğlu wrote the biggest pages of the weight lifting history by breaking 13 records in the youth category and 50 recordings in the adults category, a total of 63 records between 1983 and 1986. In 1984, he lifted 3 times the weight of his own weight. He was one of 2 people who lifted 3 times their weight until that day. The second nickname of Naim, who was selected as athlete of the year in 1984, 85, and 86 years, was also revealed. His name started to be mentioned as "The Man Who Lifts the World".
Turkish Superman
The pressures on Turks living in Bulgaria in the '80s have now come to an unbearable point. Bulgaria's then leader Todor Zhivkov increased the severity of the assimilation policy. Even the sportsmen who introduced Bulgaria to the world under the name of Bulgarian government could not accept him with Turkish identity. In 1984 Naim Suleymanov's name was changed to Naum Shalamanov with the government's decision. Naim had no more tolerance for this repression. The turning point was the 1986 World Weightlifting Championship in Australia. With the help of the Turkish authorities he escaped to the Australian embassy. Then he came to Turkey with the special help of Turkish President Turgut Ozal. It was not an asylum... After so many years Naim finally had reached his freedom, his flag, his name, his surname. Naim Süleymanoğlu who brought Turkey's name and flag in countless organizations, Olympics, tournaments and championships was also the voice of Turks living in Bulgaria. The pressure on the Turks has been heard all over the world and world media has begun to react. At the same time Naim Suleymanoglu, who made weight lifting popular in Turkey, started to be mentioned as "Turkish Superman".
Naim Süleymanoğlu was recognized as a sincere and humble person despite his achievements and world-wide reputation.
The Turkish Superman, the Man Who Lifts the World, and the Pocket Hercules, passed away in Istanbul on November 18, 2017 after a long time of intensive care.
Taki Doğan, a journalist who knew Naim Süleymanoğlu closely, said: "Naim was an introvert, he did not like to talk much. He died with his secrets. I don't know why but he did not smile much. But he loved immigrants. His house was always open to them. He gave scholarships to immigrant students. "
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