Bulgaria achieved a remarkable international success at the KWF World Championship in Saudi Arabia, where the national Kyokushin karate team delivered an outstanding performance against elite competitors from around the world. Representing the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation (BKKF), the athletes secured a total of three world titles, two silver medals, and four bronze medals, confirming Bulgaria’s position among the leading nations in world Kyokushin.
The highlight of the championship came with the crowning of three Bulgarian world champions. Yoanna Dafinkchieva dominated the girls’ 16–17 age division in the –50 kg category, showcasing excellent technique, speed, and composure throughout the tournament. In the same age group, Viktor Vasilev claimed gold in the –60 kg division after a series of convincing performances, demonstrating maturity and fighting intelligence well beyond his years.
In the men’s 18–21 age category, Viktor Merazov delivered one of the most impressive runs of the championship. Competing in the –75 kg division, he fought through extremely demanding and closely contested bouts to reach the top of the podium, earning his world title through determination, resilience, and strong Kyokushin spirit.
Bulgaria’s success was further strengthened by two silver medals, won by Aleksandra Ivanova (girls 16–17, –60 kg) and Hristian Gospodinov (boys 16–17, –80 kg), both of whom reached the finals after strong performances against high-level opposition.
The national team’s medal tally was completed with four bronze medals. Rostislav Todorov (–75 kg), Stefan Kalchev (–70 kg), Nedjmi Bozov (–90 kg), and Vasil Dimitrov (+90 kg) all secured third-place finishes, contributing to Bulgaria’s overall success and depth across multiple weight categories.
This exceptional result marks a significant achievement for the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation and serves as a source of national pride. Closing the year with such a strong showing at a world championship, BKKF once again demonstrated the high level of preparation, coaching, and competitive spirit within Bulgarian Kyokushin karate, further strengthening its reputation on the global martial arts stage.
