Stoyan Todorchev is a BIG Bulgarian Strongman. He made a BIG impact when he first came onto the strongman scene.
He has been recovering from an injury for the last few months, but when he hits 100% fitness in 2012 the other guys had better watch out!
Here is my translated interview with
Stoyan “The Destroyer” Todorchev….
Phil Burgess: How did you get involved in the sport of strongman?
Stoyan Todorchev: When I was 16, I started training in my home with weights.
Then at the age of 18 years I had my first competition in powerlifting.
At that meet I had 270kg squat, 170kg bench and 300kg deadlift
without suits, only belt.
I became the Bulgarian powerlifting champion in 2006 when I was 21, and in that same year I lifted a 400kg Deadlift, a Bulgarian record.
In 2004 my best friend said to me after one competition in powerlifting that I should try strongman competitions. Since then I have won over 30 events.
Phil Burgess: Which competition win means the most to you?
Stoyan Todorchev: My two best victories were those over Mariusz Pudzianowski in November 2008 in Iran and my victory over Zydrunas Savitskas in July 2011 in Moscow.
Out of these two, I would say beating five time world champion Mariusz Pudzianowski was the best, because he has won the most titles.
Phil Burgess: What lessons have you learned in strongman?
Stoyan Todorchev: Strongman is a complexed sport, which makes it even more difficult, because it requires both strength and stamina.
I have found that it also takes a strong mentality, discipline and hard work.
Phil Burgess: What is the worst injury that you suffered?
Stoyan Todorchev: The worst injury I got was in my waist. I got it in a workout in August 2011 after the contest in Moscow. It has taken over 6 months to heal and I’m almost back to 100% , and I’m back training hard now.
I was not been able to compete in two strongman competitions which I had been invited to, but I am ready to receive invites to compete now.
Phil Burgess: How popular is Strongman in Bulgaria, and are there any other top Bulgarian Strongmen?
Stoyan Todorchev: Bulgaria is a small country and is poorly developed economically. The sport of strongman is not well developed in Bulgaria, however there are a few guys who are also competing.
- Zdravko Zanev he was in Amateur Arnold Classic this year 2012.
- The other athlete is Vladimir Rizov he was in Abu Dhabi competing in the World Strongman Cup in February.
Phil Burgess: Where are you from in Bulgaria?
Stoyan Todorchev: I live in the city of Perushitsa located in the central part of Bulgaria.
I like this place because it is peaceful and has stunning scenery.
Phil Burgess: What are your best and worst strongman events?
Stoyan Todorchev: My strongest discipline is the farmers walk as I have six world records in it, but the worst is my overhead raises.
Phil Burgess: What do you love about the sport of strongman?
Stoyan Todorchev: I have to say that all the athletes in this sport I’ve competed against are now good friends.
Phil Burgess: What’s your best loglift, deadlift, and bench?
Stoyan Todorchev: My best lifts are:
- 185 kg Log Lift
- 422Kg Deadlift
- 250kg Bench Press
Phil Burgess: What do you need to improve in order to win Worlds Strongest Man?
Stoyan Todorchev: For me, I think the mind is most important to win this competition, because any small inaccuracy can lose a lot of points.
I have learnt alot from Mariusz Pudzianowski because I have competed against him alot.
Phil Burgess: What exercises do you use to improve your grip?
Stoyan Todorchev: I haven’t done any special exercises for my grip. I do heavy farmers walk and I also hold the heavy bar in my hand for a long time.
Phil Burgess: Where do you train, and what do you do when not training or competing?
Stoyan Todorchev: I train in the gym in Perushtitsa five times a week
I work as a security guard when I am not training as a professional strongman. I like to relax by going for walks with friends.
