During the 20th International Martial Arts Summer Camp, held from 5 to 12 July near Varna, Bulgaria, and just days before SENSHI 32 Grand Prix, kickboxing legend Andy Souwer shared his thoughts on SENSHI, his role within the organization, and the importance of the international SENSHI camps.
As a member of the SENSHI Board of Directors, instructor, and referee at the professional fight galas, the Dutch champion gave a special interview to Champs Talk TV, speaking about how SENSHI brings together different generations of martial artists while creating an environment that fosters growth both inside and outside the ring.
With more than three decades in professional kickboxing, Souwer has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience. After retiring from competition, he went through a difficult period in his personal life—an experience he now considers an important stage in his own development, allowing him to embrace a new role within martial arts from a different perspective.
Today, that journey enables him to be much more than a coach. He strives to pass on not only technical knowledge but also valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the ring.
For Andy Souwer, SENSHI is an example of an organization that develops martial arts not only through world-class professional events but also by building a community founded on respect, discipline, and continuity between generations.
According to him, this philosophy is what truly sets SENSHI apart:
"When you can inspire people and see that they truly appreciate what you share with them—and that it genuinely helps them—that's an incredible feeling."
"People come here to learn. That's why I do my best to pass on my knowledge as clearly as possible. Every instructor has a different approach—some focus more on technique, others on motivation. I enjoy explaining the finer details of martial arts: how to anticipate your opponent's actions, how to use speed, explosiveness, and adapt to different situations during a fight," Souwer added.
Andy Souwer on SENSHI 32 Grand Prix
Asked which bouts he was most looking forward to at SENSHI 32 Grand Prix, Souwer highlighted the clash between Daniele Valente and Zhulien Rikov.
"Both are extremely talented. Rikov has a very bright future ahead of him. I've also had many conversations with Valente during the camps, and I hope he finds his inner strength and shows his full potential."
Speaking to Champs Talk, Souwer also explained why Grand Prix tournaments consistently capture fans' attention while presenting one of the toughest challenges for fighters.
"These fights are always different. This is where underdogs often surprise the favourites."
Champions Never Stop Learning
According to Andy Souwer, becoming a great fighter requires much more than physical ability.
"Speed, power, fight IQ, cleverness, courage, consistency—all of these are important. But just as important is staying open to learning. The moment you think you already know everything, your development stops."
For that reason, he considers the SENSHI Training Camps to be one of the most valuable initiatives in the world of combat sports.
In Souwer's view, this is the true strength of SENSHI: creating an environment that develops champions by combining elite-level competition with respect, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to continuous improvement—both inside and outside the ring.
Watch Andy Souwer's full interview with Champs Talk HERE.
