National champions in the 16th edition of SENSHI showed their strong fighting spirit and high sportsmanship, delighting the audience on May 13 at the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna with impressive victories over strong and motivated opponents.
The SENSHI 16 professional fighting gala evening featured 26 of the best fighters from 15 different countries, who presented an authentic fighting spectacle to the spectators in order to win SENSHI belts and trophies.
The first Bulgarian victory in the ring of SENSHI, to the delight of the fans of martial arts in the “Congress” hall of the SCS in Varna, brought Dragomir Petrov, who defeated the Spaniard Alex Rodríguez without any hesitation.
Atanas Bozhilov prevailed over Georgian Levan Guruli and recorded his thirteenth victory to his name to cement his status as a SENSHI legend.
Mitko Iliev defeated his opponent Frenchman Kevin Ruart in a hard fought bout under KWU Open rules after a judges decision.
Mariyan Dimitrov gave the surprise and the spectacle of the evening by knocking out the Spaniard Lamin Gaye in just 30 seconds.In addition to the SENSHI belt and a prestigious trophy, he also won the International Gala’s special award for “Knockout of the Night”.
In the final bout of the combat gala night Aleksandar Petrov prevailed after a difficult and very contested fight over the Frenchman Frangis Goma. The Varna fighter’s success was clinched after an extra round, as the energy in the hall and the support of the crowd gave him wings for victory and a well-deserved triumph.
The other bulgarian fighter Mihail Velchovski was also aiming for a win in his debut bout, but lost to the more technical and taller Spaniard Eddy Ruiz by judges decision. Mihail performed at a very high level, winning the hearts of the crowd because of his drive and energy, despite replacing Theodor Hristov in the ring with only one day’s notice. The organizers deservedly gave him the “Highest fighting spirit” award.
SENSHI is organized in cooperation with the Professional League of the Kyokushin World Union (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.
SENSHI’s media partners are Boec.BG and Boec.COM, the national television Bulgaria ON AIR, the American online martial arts television FITE, Gol.bg, Topsport.bg, Kwunion.com, the information portal Kyokushin Karate News, Fighto.News and Novinata.bg.
