On May 30, starting at 7:30 PM ЕЕТ /12:30 PM EST/, the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, will transform into an arena of spectacular battles during the international fight gala SENSHI 31 Gladiators. In addition to a series of super clashes between proven fighters from around the world, fans will witness the special SENSHI Grand Prix tournament in the lightweight division up to 70 kg, featuring direct elimination bouts and a battle for the ultimate prize among some of the best competitors in the division. Tickets for the fight event are available through Eventim.bg.
Alongside the impressive fight card, SENSHI 31 Gladiators will bring to Bulgaria some of the biggest names in the history of combat sports. World champions, prestigious Grand Prix title holders, and iconic figures from kickboxing and Kyokushin karate will take part in the event as judges, referees, commentators, and official representatives of the international organization KWU SENSHI.
Among the special guests is Ernesto Hoost (The Netherlands) – four-time K-1 World Champion, Savate World Champion, ISKA Full Contact World Champion, and Muay Thai World Champion, member of the KWU SENSHI Board of Directors.
Also present in Plovdiv will be Shihan Semmy Schilt (The Netherlands) – President of KWU SENSHI Europe, Glory Grand Slam 16-Man Tournament Champion, Glory World Champion, four-time K-1 Grand Prix Champion, K-1 World Champion, three-time King of Pancrase title holder, and two-time Kudo World Champion, member of the KWU SENSHI Board of Directors.
Among the legends is Albert Kraus (The Netherlands) – the first-ever K-1 World MAX Tournament Champion in 2002, as well as the first SUPERKOMBAT Middleweight Champion. Kraus is also the holder of four separate world titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai and a member of the KWU SENSHI Board of Directors.
The event will also feature renowned lightweight fighter Andy Souwer (The Netherlands) – two-time K-1 MAX World Champion, four-time Shootboxing World Champion, Showtime 70MAX World Champion, and Muay Thai World Champion, member of the KWU SENSHI Board of Directors.
Part of the star-studded lineup will also be Shihan Nicholas Pettas (Japan) – European and World Karate Champion, the last uchi-deshi of Masutatsu Oyama, K-1 Japan Grand Prix winner, ring presenter of the SENSHI fight gala, head of the KWU SENSHI Public Relations and Marketing Committee, and member of the KWU SENSHI Board of Directors.
Joining them are distinguished representatives of Kyokushin karate. Among them is Sensei Tariel Nikoleishvili (Georgia) – Absolute World Champion in 2011, completed the “100-Man Kumite” in 2014, Absolute Japan Champion in 2010, Japan Weight Category Champion in 2010, European Champion in 2010, and a member of the KWU SENSHI Europe Board of Directors.
Bulgaria will be represented by Sensei Zahari Damyanov – Absolute Kyokushin World Champion in 2015, four-time American Absolute Champion, four-time European Kyokushin Champion, and member of the KWU SENSHI Europe Board of Directors.
Among the event officials will also be Sensei Jan Soukup (Czech Republic) – 2004 All Japan Tournament Champion, 2007 European Champion, runner-up at the 9th World Open Kyokushin Championship in 2007, 2014 Yangame Fight Night Heavyweight Champion, SENSHI Champion in 2019, runner-up at the First European Full Contact Championship in 2020, and member of the KWU SENSHI Europe Board of Directors.
The star lineup also includes Sensei Petar Martinov (Bulgaria) – Kyokushin World Champion in 2014, European Kyokushin Champion in 2006, bronze medalist at the 2008 European Open Tournament, three-time European Tameshiwari Champion, and member of the KWU SENSHI Europe Board of Directors.
The combination of world-class fighters, the first SENSHI Grand Prix tournament up to 70 kg, and the presence of so many legends of combat sports makes SENSHI 31 Gladiators one of the most anticipated fight events of the year. On May 30, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, will become the world capital of martial arts, giving fans the unique opportunity to meet champions who have left a lasting mark on the history of kickboxing and Kyokushin karate.
The SENSHI legends will also play a key role as instructors for participants in the accompanying international martial arts training camp, which will take place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from May 27 to May 31.
SENSHI 31 Gladiators is organized in cooperation with the KWU International Professional League, as well as with the special support of Armeec Insurance Company, MAX Sport, Bulgaria Air, M Car Group – BMW dealer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Service, and St. St. Constantine and Helena Holding.
The media partners of SENSHI 31 Gladiators are Boec.bg and Boec.com, Bulgaria ON AIR, MAX Sport, TrillerTV, Beyond Kickboxing, Gol.bg, Sportal.bg, Dir.bg, Topsport.bg, КWUSENSHI.com, KWUnion.com, KyokushinКarate.News, Fighto.News and Fight Sports Insider 24/7.
