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Bulgarian fighters Vasil Dimitrov and Enco Gyupchanov secured their places in the semifinals of the third edition of the KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs 2026 after delivering impressive technical knockout (TKO) victories in the qualification bouts on the opening day of the competition.
The tournament brought together 48 fighters from 21 countries, competing in six weight divisions under the KWU SENSHI ruleset. Combining elements of full-contact karate and Muay Thai, the rules produced spectacular bouts featuring dynamic striking combinations, throws, sweeps, and elbow techniques.
In the heavyweight division (+90 kg), Vasil Dimitrov displayed outstanding form, defeating Greece's Marios Lytis by technical knockout. The Bulgarian fighter, who is the 2026 European Kyokushin Champion, a bronze medalist from the 2025 World Championship, and the silver medalist at the 2025 KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs, once again proved his class and moved one step closer to the medals.
The youngest Bulgarian fighter, 19-year-old Enco Gyupchanov, also delivered a dominant performance. Competing in the -85 kg division, he earned a TKO victory over Azerbaijan's Etibar Mammadov to book his place in the semifinals. After finishing among the top five competitors at last year's tournament, the young Bulgarian has already shown that he is ready to achieve an even stronger result in this year's edition.
The semifinal bouts of the KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs 2026 will take place tomorrow, when both Bulgarian fighters will compete for a place in the finals of the prestigious international tournament.
The KWU SENSHI World Cup for Amateurs 2026 is an international competition that provides talented fighters from around the world with the opportunity to showcase their skills and serves as the first step toward a professional fighting career.
