It is a few hours before the kickoff of the largest kyokushin karate event – the KWU World Championship that we have the pleasure to offer you a splendid interview with the big star of Bulgarian kyokushin, the absolute world champion and coach of the Bulgarian National Team – Zahari Damyanov.
Boec.BG: Hello, Zahari. We would like to offer our gratitude for sparing us some of your time. You need no introduction – an acting absolute world champion. Could you explain for our readers why it that this title is that much more important is and what is the journey to get it?
Zahari: Hello! The Absolute World Championship of Kyokushin is the toughest contest of them all. It is held once every 4 years and 192 karateka from all over the globe clash into the absolute category (no limits on bodyweight). Within three days, the future champion has to overcome 8 opponents in order to win the title.
Boec.BG: What is new around you in the last few months? We know that it was not long ago that you opened your own karate club. Do you have big groups of karateka already?
Zahari: On December 5th it will be one year of “NIHONTO” club, which is a member of the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation. For this period we reached nearly 80 karateka as 50 of them are children and circa 30 are older. These are good indicators that the club grows. We also had our competitive debut and the first medals came along.
In parallel to the training sessions I also coach the National Kyokushin Team. I try my best to combine these professional engagements with my commitment to the Shumen University “Bishop Konstantin Preslavsky”.
Boec.BG: As the national coach you organized a few training camps this year. How they were in your opinion and what do you think of the national representatives who participated?
Zahari: This year’s camps with the National Team were heavy on double training. I am meticulous about the training of our National Team. I am particularly fond of discipline and strict performance of all the tasks I place. I am extremely happy with my karateka as they are totally dedicated and give me everything they got.
Boec.BG: What is behind the preparation for one of the biggest and most important events during this year – the KWU World Championship?
Zahari: All goes according to the plan. The training process benefits ideal conditions kindly provided for by the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation. The training program is developed by experienced karateka and is further sculpted to fit every contestant to go on the tatami in the upcoming world championship.
Boec.BG: Should you be bluntly honest, which is not doubted at all, what chances do we stand with our 11 karateka in terms of maximum gold medals? Could you give us any forecast?
Zahari: I am not the type of person to make a forecast, nor am I focused on such a thing. As I have said before, I do not like to predict the outcome of any such tournament. We go out there to show what are we capable of and right now myself and my karateka are extremely focused on preparation I do hope to see everyone give his maximum and therefore to represent Bulgaria appropriately.
Boec.BG: Could you give us an estimate for the past contests of the National Team in terms of performance, distinct karateka and titles?
Zahari: This year was very fruitful for the National Team. We have medals from European and World Championships. In October we returned from the KWF European Championship in Poland with 13 medals, 4 of which are gold! We produced 4 more champions and another 9 top prizes at the Open Kyokushin Karate Championship in Belarus in the end of October.
Our most recent achievement is the Japanese titles. We returned home with a grand total of 6 medals and a huge recognition for Stanislava Boycheva. She became the absolute champion of the All Japan tournament. Vasil Dimitrov won the gold medal in the heaviest weight category at the World Championship for juniors in Japanand Yani Krastev got the bronze medal. Valentin Valchanov and Mirel Lyubenova came just in short at the finals, but got the vice-championships. Valeria Lozanova fought her way to a second medal from Japan as she won the bronze medals at kumite category.
As far as more distinct karateka go – all of our national representatives have tens of medals and we are firm believers in their power!
Boec.BG: Do you see your younger self in any of the karateka?
Zahari: I notice that all of them have the required qualities and skills. We are blessed with young and ambitious karateka and I see great hunger for success in all of them, which makes me confident that if they keep up the perseverance and consistency, results will not be late.
Boec.BG: What is it that you want to give out to the karateka from your own experience?
Zahari: I would like to give them, to teach them, that kyokushin karate is much more than just another martial art. It is an entire philosophy. I strive to build tenacity, focus, devotion and relentlessness in all of them. They have to get up no matter how many times they fall and then they should use their errors as experience to learn constantly. To quote Sosai Oyama: “Keep your head low in humility but your eyes high with ambition, speak modestly yet always be considerate”.
Boec.BG: We all know your great success in kyokushin karate – you have every title one could possibly have. But is there something besides the sports career that you dream of?
Zahari: Until now I was very dedicated to my sports career, thus turning my back on my personal life. I think it is time to give this aspect a little more attention.
Boec.BG: Any final word to the readers of Boec.BG?
Zahari: Do your sport, because sports are health. OSU!
