Career
He was coached by Ivan Abadjiev. Botev was originally intended to represent Bulgaria at the 1988 Olympic Games in the heavyweight category. Mitko Grablev (56 kg) & Angel Guenchev (675 kg) were both disqualified after they tested positive for Furosemide.
Snatch: 200.0 kg 1990 in Budapest in the class to 110 kg.
Clean and jerk: 250.0 kg 1988 in Varna in the class to 110 kg. Total: 445.0 (1950+2500) in the class to 110 kg.
Total: 450.0 kg (2000+2500) 1996 Summer Olympics in the class over 108 kg.