A decade after his triumph at the World Open-weight Kyokushin Championship in Japan, Sensei Zahari Damyanov—the absolute world champion in Kyokushin karate—remains a leading figure in martial arts. Today, he is a respected coach, judge, and instructor, dedicated to developing a new generation of champions in Bulgaria and beyond. On the eve of the upcoming SENSHI fight night, Sensei Damyanov spoke with DIR.bg about the future of Kyokushin and the strength of the Bulgarian fighting school.

After achieving the highest sporting accolade in his discipline, Damyanov stepped away from competition to fully focus on coaching. As he explains, the most difficult part of this transition was realizing that success no longer depended solely on himself, but on teamwork and the bond between coach and athlete. He believes true success comes through consistency, humility, and respect—values he passes on to his students.

As a leading instructor at the International Summer Camp in Kamchia and a member of the board of the KWU SENSHI Europe, Sensei Damyanov plays a key role in the growth of Kyokushin in Bulgaria. According to him, the country has deep-rooted traditions and a solid martial arts school that continues to produce strong fighters and future champions.

Ahead of SENSHI 27, set to take place on July 12 in Varna, he expressed confidence in the Bulgarian fighters’ performance, noting that the tournament has established itself as a global stage for elite clashes. SENSHI stands out not only for its world-class bouts and international participants but also for its high level of judging and professionalism.

As a referee and judge, Damyanov is responsible for enforcing the rules across various KWU formats, where the differences in allowed strikes and tactics demand exceptional focus and objectivity.

What is the most important lesson he strives to teach his students? To remain good human beings above all else. “They may or may not become champions, but they must preserve their humanity,” Damyanov firmly states. In his view, spirit and character in martial arts are just as important as physical strength.

Looking to the future, he is convinced that the Bulgarian Kyokushin school will continue to shine on the world stage and bring pride to the nation.

The full interview with absolute world champion Sensei Zahari Damyanov is available on DIR.bg.