Kristiyan Doychev won the silver medal on the World Kyokushin Championship (KWU), which was held this weekend in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The success of the national of the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation deserves attention because he got to the final in his second participation within the category of men up to 85 kg.
Today the Bulgarian delegacy is coming back from Nur-Sultan and Doychev gave a special interview for Boec.BG.
The final of the World Championship – this itself is a huge success. Are you perceiving it like this?
Yes. This is my second participation in a World Championship for men. On the previous one, I didn’t manage to qualify but getting to the final now is my biggest success in my career within the men.
How did the road to the final went from your perspective? You were very categorical in your first meetings…
I was playing against contestants from Poland, Greece, Russia, and Kazakhstan. The first two meetings ended fast because I made my opponents give up. In the third meeting, I was playing against one very good guy from Russia, who I managed to finish in the regular time.
When we saw that you need to face a Kazakhstanian on the final, we commented that you need to be very categorical to win. There’s a saying: at home, even the walls are saving you. In your opinion, was that the case and were you worried?
No. For me, it was clear that facing someone from the hosts will be more difficult and that he will get support from the judges. Despite this, I got out calm and concentrated to win. Sadly, it didn’t happen.
Can you give yourself a grade – what wasn’t enough for you to win?
I didn’t manage to get the right pace maybe. I had to keep the pace up during the meeting.
How did you see the World Championship in Kazakhstan?
The organization was great and on a very high level. There were good contestants from all over the World. This made the competition very serious.
At the end of the year, how do you think your year went?
This was maybe my most successful year ever.
What do you wish yourself and what milestones are you giving yourself for the new year?
On the next World Championship, I will be on the top!
