Some of the biggest legends in global combat sports and long-time friends of SENSHI were special guests and honorary presenters at the “Golden Belt” 2025 ceremony. On December 5, at the Sts. Constantine and Helena resort, Varna, Bulgaria, top K-1 figures and SENSHI representatives joined the National Association of Combat Sports (NACS) in honoring the most successful Bulgarian fighters and coaches of the year.
The event, which brings together the 12 federations that are part of NACS, traditionally gathers the elite of the Bulgarian martial arts community. Each federation awarded its best athletes for 2025, and five winners received the highest honors – the “Golden Belt” 2025 awards.
Sasho Andreev was named “Best Athlete – Man 2025” and received his Golden Belt from four-time K-1 Grand Prix champion Shihan Semmy Schilt, a frequent guest at SENSHI and long-standing member of its international judging panel. Andreev had an outstanding season in arm wrestling, winning a world title in Albena, a European title in Cluj Napoca, and adding to his impressive collection of thirteen world championships.
The award for “Best Athlete – Women 2025” went to Ivelina Shenkova, a standout Wushu competitor. Her trophy was presented by another SENSHI legend – four-time K-1 Grand Prix champion Ernesto Hoost. Shenkova boasts an impressive career, including seven world titles in Wing Chun and numerous national medals.
The “Best Coach” award for 2025 in the annual Golden Belt Awards was presented to Sensei Petko Chirpanliev from the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation. His Golden Belt was handed to him by world kickboxing icon and SENSHI guest Andy Souwer. Sensei Chirpanliev is the personal coach of some of Bulgaria’s top Kyokushin athletes, including world champion Nedzhmi Bozov.
The award for “Bright Victory” for 2025 from NACS was given to Stoyan Gochev from the Bulgarian Kudo Federation. His Golden Belt was presented by the first-ever K-1 MAX world champion, Albert Kraus, another respected member of the SENSHI family.
The special “Loyalty to Traditions” award in Golden Belt 2025 Awards went to Sensei Plamen Yurukov for his 40-year contribution to the development of Aikido in Bulgaria. His distinction was presented byShihan Nicholas Pettas – the last uchi-deshi of Masutatsu Oyama and a cherished SENSHI ambassador. Due to his absence, the award was accepted on his behalf by Ariane Thiabaud-Vespierre.
The annual Golden Belt Awards have been organized for eight consecutive years by the National Association of Combat Sports – the only combat sports association in Bulgaria accredited by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The ceremony celebrates the athletes and coaches whose talent, discipline, and perseverance elevate Bulgarian martial arts on the global stage.
SENSHI continues its strong partnership with NACS, and once again, the presence of world-renowned K-1 legends highlighted the importance of Bulgaria’s role in the international martial arts calendar.
