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From the first bow on the tatami to the final bouts of the evening, the Varna World Cup 2026 delivered ten hours of non-stop Kyokushin karate, bringing together the world's next generation of champions in an unforgettable celebration of martial arts.
See photos from the whole World Cup “Varna”: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?set=a.1446409400853541&type=3
Held as one of the highlights of the 20th International Summer Martial Arts Camp, the prestigious tournament saw 436 competitors from 25 countries, aged 14 to 21, compete across cadet, junior and youth divisions in an atmosphere defined by discipline, determination and international friendship.
The action began at 11:00 a.m. with an official opening ceremony before three competition tatamis, setting the stage for an entire day of high-level Kyokushin competition.
Addressing the athletes, KWU SENSHI President Shihan Akira Masuda welcomed the participants to one of the largest international Kyokushin gatherings of the year.
"I would like to welcome all of you to this great international forum. This is the place where you can show the very best of yourselves and build invaluable friendships and connections. I can't wait to see you on the tatamis."
Before the competition officially began, Shihan Francisco Filho, President of KWU SENSHI South America and Chief Referee of the tournament, encouraged every young athlete to focus on personal growth rather than medals.
"It is wonderful to see hundreds of competitors from all over the world gathered here. I would like to thank the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation for organizing this remarkable event. To everyone stepping onto the tatami today—show what you have learned, stay calm and relaxed, and give your very best. Don't worry too much about the results. Every one of you who is here is already a winner. You have already earned your place, so enjoy the experience and give everything you have."
The opening ceremony also featured an inspiring speech by Shihan Andre Drewniak, General Secretary of KWF, who reminded competitors of the philosophy behind Kyokushin.
"Seventy years ago, the great Sosai Masutatsu Oyama founded Kyokushin not only to spread this martial art around the world, but also with the vision of promoting peace. We should all thank the organizers for creating this phenomenal tournament."
The ceremonial program continued with everyone standing for the National Anthem of the Republic of Bulgaria, followed by a powerful Taiko performance by Sensei Milen Petrov.
The audience was then treated to a captivating Iaido demonstration by Soke Masanori Ogawa, founder of Arakimunisairyu Ogawa Dojo and successor to centuries-old Japanese martial traditions, perfectly blending Japanese martial heritage with the spirit of the international event.
As soon as the ceremony concluded, the three tatamis came alive with continuous action. Throughout the day, young Kyokushin fighters displayed remarkable technical ability, fighting spirit and respect, competing in hundreds of matches that showcased the future of the sport.
The tournament welcomed athletes from 25 countries: Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The largest delegation came from Kazakhstan with 76 competitors, followed by Bulgaria (70), Ukraine (42), Romania (37) and Armenia (36). Strong national teams also represented Poland, Japan, Brazil, Georgia, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Moldova and Serbia, making the event a truly global gathering of Kyokushin talent from Europe, Asia, South America, Africa and North America.
See full results here:
https://kumitetechnology.com/en/tournament/435/results-team/
After nearly ten hours of intense competition, the tournament concluded with the final bouts on all three tatamis, followed by an official awards ceremony honoring the winners in every age and weight division. Medalists stepped onto the podium to receive their awards in front of teammates, coaches, officials and spectators, celebrating not only individual achievements but also the spirit of fair play, perseverance and international friendship that defined the Varna World Cup 2026.
See photos from the Awarding ceremony here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122290075154034547&type=3
See video from the Awarding ceremony here: https://youtu.be/ug4IUCp8aGY
The Varna World Cup is part of the 20th International Martial Arts Camp, taking place from 5 to 12 July near Varna, Bulgaria, and bringing together more than 1,600 participants from 49 countries. Alongside the tournament, athletes train under world-renowned instructors, legendary K-1 champions and internationally respected masters in Kyokushin karate, kickboxing and Iaido, making the camp one of the largest and most prestigious martial arts gatherings in the world.
