On December 5 in Varna, Bulgaria, during the “Golden Belt” 2025 ceremony, the annual awards of the National Association of Combat Sports in Bulgaria were presented. One of the highlights of the event was the recognition by the Bulgarian Sambo Federation, which honored its most successful athletes and coach for the past year.
The awards were presented by Timothy Wheaton – sports journalist and combat sports expert, who arrived in Varna especially for SENSHI 29. His presence added international prestige to the ceremony and once again emphasized the high level at which Bulgarian sambo continues to develop.
Ivan Harkov was named “Best Athlete – Man”, reaffirming his place among the leading names in the sport. In 2025, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Kyrgyzstan and another third-place finish at the European Sambo Championships in Cyprus.
In the women’s category, the “Best Athlete – Women” award went to Tanya Radulova, who had an exceptional year. She claimed a European title in Cyprus, a silver medal at the World Championships in Kyrgyzstan, silver at the World Cup in Armenia, and bronze at the World Cup in Kyrgyzstan — achievements that place her among the top competitors on the global stage.
Vasil Sokolov — two-time world champion, European champion, and one of the most emblematic figures in Bulgarian sambo — was named “Best Coach” for 2025. Sokolov has been a long-time coach of the national team, passing on his extensive competitive experience to the new generations and guiding them to consistent international success.
Watch the annual awards of the 12 federations and the “Golden Belt” 2025 ceremony of the National Association of Combat Sports on Bulgaria ON AIR TV on December 27 at 07:00 p.m. EET.
