Zlatаn Vanev Vasilev (original name: Златан Ванев Василев, born (1973-03-29)29 March 1973 in Shumen) is a former Bulgarian weightlifter who became a three-time world and four-time European champion. Vanev is world champion from Chiang Mai 1997, Lahti 1998 and Warsaw 2002.
Vanev is also a world record holder. In 2000 Vanev hit a world record clean and jerk of 208.5 kg in the 77 kg weight class in Sofia. Two years later as an 85 kg lifter Vanev clean and jerked 217.5 kg in Warsaw.
He became famous for becoming world champion in three different categories - 70 kg, 77 kg and 85 kg.
His European titles are from Stavanger 1996, Riesa 1998, Sofia 2000 and Loutraki 2003.
He was suspended due to a tampering with test.[1]
After his own career he became the personal trainer of weightlifter Valentin Hristov.[2]
