Childhood home of Naim Süleymanoğlu to open as a museum
The childhood home of world-famous Turkish weightlifter Naim Süleymanoğlu, known as the “Pocket Hercules”, located in the town of Mestanlı (Momchilgrad), Bulgaria, is set to open as a museum on November 18.
The announcement was made by Abdullah Eren, President of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), who shared the news on social media following a visit from Naim Süleymanoğlu’s brother, Muharrem Süleymanoğlu.
Eren wrote:
“We had the pleasure of hosting Mr. Muharrem Süleymanoğlu, brother of the late Naim Süleymanoğlu — the pride of Bulgaria’s Turks and of our nation in the field of weightlifting.
On this occasion, we are delighted to share some good news: As TİKA, we have restored and transformed the childhood home of our national hero and globally renowned athlete Naim Süleymanoğlu in Mestanlı, Bulgaria, into a museum.
The museum, opening on November 18, will honor the cherished memory of our champion while serving as a source of inspiration for future generations and a cultural bridge for the Turkish community in Bulgaria. We invite all enthusiasts and our compatriots in Bulgaria to join us for this meaningful event.”
The new museum will showcase personal belongings, photographs, medals, and memorabilia from Süleymanoğlu’s remarkable career, celebrating his enduring legacy as one of the greatest weightlifters in history.
