Plamen Zhelyazkov had the following podium finishes at major championships: 1st in the 1998 World Championships Lightweight class (350.0 kg); 3rd in the 1999 World Championships Middleweight class (370.0 kg); 2nd in the 1996 European Championships Lightweight class (332.5 kg); 3rd in the 1997 European Championships Lightweight class (330.0 kg); 1st in the 1998 European Championships Lightweight class (330.0 kg); 2nd in the 1999 European Championships Lightweight class (350.0 kg); 2nd in the 2000 European Championships Middleweight class (365.0 kg); 3rd in the 2004 European Championships Middleweight class (360.0 kg). He set five world records in the lightweight and middleweight classes from 1998-2002 – three in the snatch and two in the total.