Three Bulgarian fighters will represent their country at the third edition of the KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs, taking place on July 9 and 10 as part of the 20th International Martial Arts Summer Camp near Varna, Bulgaria. Atanas Lichev, Enco Gyupchanov, and Vasil Dimitrov will face some of the strongest competitors from around the world in this prestigious international tournament.
The competition will feature 48 fighters from 22 countries, divided into six weight categories. The bouts will be contested under the KWU SENSHI ruleset, which combines techniques from full-contact karate and Muay Thai, promising spectacular action with elbow strikes, clinching, throws, and sweeps.
The most experienced Bulgarian representative is Vasil Dimitrov, who will compete in the over 90 kg division. Over the past few years, he has established himself as one of Bulgaria’s most successful Kyokushin karate competitors. His major achievements include the 2026 European title, a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championship, and a silver medal at the 2025 KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs. Alongside his impressive international karate career, Dimitrov is also the Bulgarian national kickboxing champion in the low-kick discipline, making him one of the most dangerous contenders in the heavyweight division.
In the up to 80 kg category, Bulgaria will rely on Atanas Lichev, a Balkan karate champion and multiple-time Bulgarian national champion. Lichev already has considerable experience in the KWU SENSHI ring, having reached the final of the 2024 KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs, where he claimed the silver medal. A year later, he once again competed in the tournament, and in this third edition he will be aiming for another strong performance in front of the home crowd.
The youngest Bulgarian representative is 19-year-old Enco Gyupchanov, who will compete in the up to 85 kg division. Despite his young age, he has already earned numerous medals at national and international Kyokushin karate tournaments, as well as a regional Kudo championship title. In 2025, Gyupchanov finished among the tournament’s top five competitors, and this year he will be looking to improve on that achievement against strong international opposition.
The third edition of the KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs will bring together talented fighters from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and United States. The tournament continues to establish itself as one of the most prestigious platforms for developing future professional fighters, offering participants the opportunity to showcase their skills before international coaches, organizations, and fans.
In addition to competing for prestigious titles, the athletes will also fight for a substantial prize fund. Winners of the qualification bouts will receive €1,000 each, semifinalists will compete for even higher prize money, and the champions in each weight category will be awarded €2,000.
The KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs 2026 will take place on July 9 and 10 at the sports hall of the Kamchia Resort Complex, near Varna, Bulgaria. Admission for spectators is free, and all bouts will be streamed live on the KWU SENSHI YouTube channel.
