Bulgarian Defector Sets Weightlifting Record

Naim Suleymanoglu, in his first competition since defecting from Bulgaria to Turkey two years ago, broke the snatch world record in winning the 60-kilogram (132-pound) title at the European weightlifting championships Thursday.

Suleymanoglu, 20, arrived in Cardiff amid a strict security operation after Turkish authorities reportedly requested special police protection for the athlete.

Suleymanoglu became the first weightlifter to snatch 2 1/2 times his own bodyweight when he lifted 150 kilograms (331 pounds) to set a world record.

Then he went on to take the jerk section with a lift of 180 kilograms (397 pounds) to win the 60-kilogram (132-pound) overall category.