Velik Kapsazov

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameVelik Nikolov•Kapsazov
Used nameVelik•Kapsazov
Original nameВелик Николов•Капсъзов
Born15 April 1935 in Asenovgrad, Plovdiv (BUL)
Died27 March 2017 in Sofia, Sofia Grad (BUL)
Measurements167 cm / 67 kg
NOC Bulgaria
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Velik Kapsazov started out as a weightlifter before switching to gymnastics in his late teens. He was on the Bulgaria national team from 1954-64, and competed at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics as a gymnast. In 1960 Kapsazov won a bronze medal on the rings, tied with Japanese star Takashi Ono. This was the first Olympic medal ever won by a Bulgarian gymnast. Kapsazov also won rings gold at the 1961 and 1963 European Championships, and a rings bronze in 1959. He won three medals at the 1961 Universiade, with gold on rings and parallel bars, and a bronze in all-around. After finishing his sporting career, worked as a gymnastics coach, his most famous pupil being multiple Olympic medalist Yordan Yovchev.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) BUL Velik Kapsazov
Individual All-Around, Men (Olympic) 19
Floor Exercise, Men (Olympic) =33
Horse Vault, Men (Olympic) =36
Parallel Bars, Men (Olympic) =24
Horizontal Bar, Men (Olympic) =13
Rings, Men (Olympic) =20
Pommelled Horse, Men (Olympic) =16
1960 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) BUL Velik Kapsazov
Individual All-Around, Men (Olympic) 20
Team All-Around, Men (Olympic) Bulgaria 11
Floor Exercise, Men (Olympic) =46 r1/2
Horse Vault, Men (Olympic) =58 r1/2
Parallel Bars, Men (Olympic) =31 r1/2
Horizontal Bar, Men (Olympic) =26 r1/2
Rings, Men (Olympic) =3 Bronze
Pommelled Horse, Men (Olympic) =42 r1/2
1964 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) BUL Velik Kapsazov
Individual All-Around, Men (Olympic) =37
Team All-Around, Men (Olympic) Bulgaria 10
Floor Exercise, Men (Olympic) =84 r1/2
Horse Vault, Men (Olympic) =48 r1/2
Parallel Bars, Men (Olympic) =83 r1/2
Horizontal Bar, Men (Olympic) =18 r1/2
Rings, Men (Olympic) 8 r1/2
Pommelled Horse, Men (Olympic) =60 r1/2

Special Notes