Karlos Nasar was born on 12 May 2004 in Paris, but in his earliest childhood fate took him to Bulgaria. After his parents separated, his mother returned with her children to Cherven Bryag – the town that would become his home. There Karlos grew up as an energetic and curious boy, full of the urge to move and explore. Back then, no one suspected that among the quiet streets of the small town a child was growing up whose name would one day be heard all over the world.

Sometimes fate changes our lives on a completely ordinary day. Barely nine years old, Karlos walked into the weightlifting gym without suspecting that this is where he would find his calling. Amid the clang of the plates and the smell of the training hall, his extraordinary story began – and coach Iliyan Iliev was the first to recognise the spark of great talent in the little boy. A chance encounter became the start of a journey that would demand enormous willpower, countless efforts and the courage to dream beyond the possible.

Behind the future medals and world records stand thousands of hours of work, hardships overcome and moments when giving up would have seemed easier than carrying on. But Karlos does not walk this road alone – by his side is Iliyan Iliev, the man who does not just teach him to lift weights but helps him grow, believe in himself and never give in to obstacles. Over time the bond between them becomes so strong that Karlos calls his coach a “second father” – a tribute to the love, trust and support behind his sporting success. A future champion’s greatest strength lies not only in his muscles and willpower, but also in the person who supports him and believes in him even when the road is hard.

Even as a child, Karlos began to prove that his efforts in the gym were not in vain. With every competition he gained experience, confidence and the courage to dream ever higher, and his first awards were a reward for his hard work and persistence. In 2018, aged just 14, he won the European U15 title in Milan – a success that hinted at his enormous potential. This was the moment when the boy from Cherven Bryag took his first big steps towards a dream that would carry him much further.

At 16, Karlos made his senior debut at the European Championships in Moscow and came home with silver in the total and gold in the clean & jerk. The same year in Tashkent, the 17-year-old became world champion in the 81 kg category — with a 374 kg total and a 208 kg world record in the clean & jerk.

His first year in the 89 kg category starts with silver at the European Championships in Tirana. At the World Championships in Bogotá, Karlos fails to make a successful snatch and is not ranked in the total, but in the clean & jerk he lifts 220 kg, wins gold and breaks the world record. 

Yerevan brings his first senior European title — 395 kg in the total and 221 kg in the clean & jerk, both world records. Later that year, at the Grand Prix II in Doha, Karlos wins the total with 393 kg and once again breaks the world record in the clean & jerk — 223 kg.

Four major competitions — four wins in the total. A European title in front of the home crowd in Sofia, gold at the World Cup in Phuket and the Olympic title in Paris with a 224 kg world and Olympic record in the clean & jerk. The year ends in Manama with a world title and world records in the total and the snatch.

The categories change — the dominance stays. In Chișinău, in the 96 kg category, Karlos wins the European title with a 417 kg world record in the total. At the World Championships in Førde, now in the new 94 kg category, he takes his third world title and breaks the world record in the clean & jerk — 222 kg.

Batumi: a fourth straight European title — 386 kg in the 94 kg category and three gold medals in the snatch, clean & jerk and total. All eyes are now on one goal — Los Angeles 2028.