The Grand Prix tournament is the ultimate challenge for every fighter
On September 13, the beach of Sts. Constantine and Helena Resort in Varna, Bulgaria, will become the arena of a historic event – SENSHI 28 Grand Prix. For the first time SENSHI will host an international 8-man tournament in the heavyweight division – the most uncompromising competition in combat sports, demanding maximum endurance, strength, and focus.
The competition will feature 8 main fighters and 2 reserves, who will go through three stages – quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. At the end of the night, only one of them will be crowned with the first-ever SENSHI Grand Prix Champion title.
The 8-man Grand Prix tournament is the ultimate trial for any fighter. The format is ruthless – no second chances, and only the toughest survives until the very end. Unlike standard professional bouts, where athletes face a single opponent and a winner is declared after each match, the Grand Prix pushes fighters through several consecutive exhausting battles in just one night – and only one emerges victorious.
This format has a legendary history. The most iconic example is the K-1 World Grand Prix – a single-elimination tournament where 8 fighters battle in one night to determine the best of the best. The very first Grand Prix took place in Tokyo in 1993, created by Kazuyoshi Ishii, and featured legends such as Ernesto Hoost and Branko Cikatić, who is the very first Grand Prix champion in history.
Hoost is another iconic Grand Prix winner. He went on to become a four-time K-1 World Grand Prix winner, and at September 13th he will take an active role as referee at the first SENSHI Grand Prix in Bulgaria, alongside Semmy Schilt, who himself is a four-time K-1 Grand Prix champion and the only fighter in history to win three consecutive titles in this format.
Since its debut more than 20 years ago, the Grand Prix has become the ultimate test of warriors, turning into an institution in combat sports. It requires not only strength and technique, but also incredible endurance, concentration, and tactical mastery to endure several brutal fights within just one night. SENSHI 28 brings this tradition to life for the fans. Tickets for the gala night are already available at Eventim.bg.
In addition to the Grand Prix eliminations, the evening’s program will also feature three professional bouts under the rules of KWU FULL CONTACT and KWU OPEN. Bulgarian fans will have the chance to cheer for homegrown athletes Dragomir Petrov, Konstantin Stoykov, and Valeri Atanasov, who will step into the ring against strong international opponents.
SENSHI 28 Grand Prix is organized with the support of the KWU International Professional League, as well as the special partnership of Armeec Insurance JSC, MAX Sport, Bulgaria Air, M Car Group – BMW dealer, and Sts. Constantine and Helena Holding.
Media partners of SENSHI 28 Grand Prix include Boec.bg, Boec.com, Bulgaria ON AIR, MAX Sport, TrillerTV (USA), Dir.bg, KWUnion.com, KyokushinKarate.News, Fighto.News, and Novinata.bg.
