On November 4, 2025, Bulgaria made history in an extraordinary test of human strength when two of its strongest athletes pulled a 40-ton Airbus A220-300 across the tarmac. The feat, conducted at exactly 1:00 p.m., marked the first time such a challenge was attempted in the country.
The participants, Hristo Muskov and Velizar Mitov, are well-known figures in Bulgaria’s powerlifting and strongman scene. Each man successfully pulled the massive aircraft a distance of 25 meters, despite challenging weather conditions that made the surface slick and the task more dangerous.
Muskov, a multiple national champion and four-time world and European titleholder, has long been recognized as “Bulgaria’s Strongest Man.” Competing in the world’s premier professional strongman league, he has earned global respect for his consistent performances and unmatched endurance.
His teammate, Velizar Mitov, is equally accomplished. With over a decade of experience in strongman competitions, Mitov has claimed several national titles and represented Bulgaria in international Strongman Champions League events.
Together, the duo demonstrated not only their personal power but also national pride in front of cheering spectators and aviation officials.
The event was organized under the guidance of Dinko Zhelyazkov, a republican and absolute bodybuilding champion known for his popular fitness podcast. Zhelyazkov’s support helped coordinate logistics and safety measures to ensure a controlled and secure environment for the unusual test of strength.
The Airbus A220-300 pulled by the athletes is one of the newest additions to Bulgaria Air’s fleet. Manufactured in Canada, the aircraft weighs 36,287 kilograms when empty and measures 38.7 meters in length. With fuel and operational weight, it reached nearly 40,000 kilograms during the challenge.
For safety reasons, a technical crew member remained in the cockpit to monitor the process, ready to intervene if any movement of the plane became unsafe. The successful completion of the pull demonstrated not only human determination but also Bulgaria’s growing recognition in the international strongman and aviation communities.
The event combined sport, spectacle, and engineering in a display that will likely be remembered as a milestone in Bulgarian strength sports. It also underscored the power of teamwork, precision, and perseverance under pressure—a testament to both muscle and national spirit.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members