Zahari Damyanov is the only Bulgarian to everto become the Absolute World Champion of kyokushin karate, but we can see him shining at coaching already says newspaper “Trud”. Under his supervision Bulgaria won 7 medals from Euro 2016 in the Nederland city of Arnem – 2 silver and 5 bronze. Our ace trains both the male and female teams. “Kyokushin karate is developing quite fast in Bulgaria – says the 31 years old Damyanov – Sadly we were not able to get the gold, but this too shall come to us. We already have clubs in Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo … more than 40 in total.”
Damyanov is the only European to grab the world title in kyokushin karate. The other champions are 7 Japanese, 2 Brazilians and one Russian who technically is not from Europe. “I won the gold in competition with 192 karateka, because the competition has no categories – said Damyanov, who was 100 kg at the time. – Every year the competition in karate grows. Biggest Bulgarian hopes are in Mihaela Ivanova and Kristian Doychev, who lost their finals in the Netherlands, but they have a bright future ahead.”
The Bulgarian coach will be one of the VIP guests of the World Championship for junior male and female during the weekend in Varna. The biggest name amongst viewers will be Hatsuo Royama (9th dan). The Japanese is the Chairman of the International Kyokushin – kan Karate Federation and a Co-Chairman of the Kyokushin World Union. He won his first black belt when he was only at 19 years old.
We expect more than 600 karateka from 33 states to come to Varna. The tournament is hosted by the Bulgarian Kyokushin Karate Federation.
