Hristo Iliev shatters 48-year-old Bulgarian 60m record three times in a month

Hristo Iliev has become Bulgaria’s new national record holder in the men’s 60 metres after improving three times in February on the long-standing mark of 6.58 seconds set by Petar Petrov, which had topped the country’s all-time rankings for 48 years.

Iliev first ran the distance in 6.54 seconds at a meet in Belgrade in early February. A week later, he claimed the Balkan title in Belgrade again, this time with a time of 6.53 seconds. On Saturday, the athlete, who is coached by the renowned Bulgarian trainer Valya Demireva, lowered the national 60 metres record to 6.51 seconds at the National Athletics Championships in Sofia.

Iliev’s result also puts him first in Europe in the men’s under-23 category.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova