“At some point, your hard work pays off, and you realize that all your efforts were worth it. That’s what keeps you motivated,” the karate fighter said.
Hristian Gospodinov brought a world title to Bulgaria at the prestigious international World Cup Varna tournament, held at the beginning of July.
“This is a traditional tournament that takes place almost at the same time every year. It is one of the most prestigious Kyokushin competitions, especially in Bulgaria, and the road to a world title is extremely challenging. Denislav Iliev and I have faced each other many times at national competitions in Bulgaria. I know his fighting style,” Gospodinov said on the Bulgarian morning TV show Bulgaria Sutrin.
He admitted that winning the title required many sacrifices.
“It takes dedication, discipline and consistency because there are often moments when you think, ‘Maybe it’s time to stop.’ But eventually, your hard work pays off, and you realize that everything you’ve done was worth it. That’s what keeps you motivated. I follow everything my coach tells me. Ivan Ivanov is the best coach for me,” the athlete added on Bulgaria ON AIR.
Before every competition, Gospodinov and his coach develop a different game plan.
“Every competition is different, and so is every opponent. Each fighter requires a different tactical approach. We analyze our opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and prepare a strategy. Sometimes that strategy also has to change during the competition itself. Mental preparation is the most important thing. There have been times when I’ve entered competitions carrying injuries or not being in my best physical condition, but those are exactly the moments when your mind has to prevail and block out everything that’s holding you back. If a competitor doesn’t step onto the mat with confidence, defeat is inevitable,” Gospodinov emphasized.
The Bulgarian karate fighter said that his greatest source of motivation is his father.
“My brother introduced me to this sport, but my biggest motivation is my father. He is the one who helps me stay on the right path, guides me, always supports me and is my greatest pillar,” he said.
Gospodinov also described his lead-leg technique as one of his greatest strengths.
“In my opinion, a champion should never become overly proud. The preparation continues,” he concluded.
You can watch a video of the full interview with the Kyokushin world champion on the Bulgaria ON AIR website.
