"Golden Belt" annual awards to be held on December 5

At the end of one of the most challenging years in recent times, when sports got a major setback due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Bulgarian National Association of Combat Sports has once again found a way to pay respect and give their credit to the martial artists. The third annual awards "Golden Belt" will take place this Saturday night (December 5th) from 8:00 p.m. EET.

Because of all the health restrictions that are being imposed in Bulgaria, the ceremony will take place in a TV studio and will be broadcasted live on Bulgaria ON AIR and on the websites www.boec.bg and www.boec.com.

A total of five major awards will be given: Best male athlete, Best female athlete, Best coach, Finest victory, and Allegiance to traditions. Every single one of the 12 federations that are part of the Bulgarian National Association of Combat Sports will also have the chance to award their best fighters.

[caption id="attachment_19314" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation[/caption]

Bulgaria's number 1 website for martial arts and combat sports - Boec.BG will also honor the most deserving professional fighter for the last 12 months with a special award.

The first edition of the "Golden Belt" awards took place in 2018 on the initiative by the chairman of KWU’s Professional League and the Bulgarian National Association of Combat Sports Shihan Ivo Kamenov.

[caption id="attachment_19315" align="alignnone" width="700"] Ivo Kamenov, Chairman of
Bulgaria's National Association of Combat Sports and Chairman of KWU
International Professional League[/caption]

The sole purpose of the awards is to recognize the achievements of the martial artists and all those who are deeply involved with the development of combat sports in Bulgaria.

[caption id="attachment_19316" align="alignnone" width="720"] Bulgaria's Kristiyan Doychev, the recipient of the "Golden Belt" award in 2019 in the category of "Best male athlete" and Ivo Kamenov, Chairman of
Bulgaria's National Association of Combat Sports and Chairman of KWU
International Professional League[/caption]

Bulgaria's National Association of Combat Sports is the only martial arts organization that is being accredited by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It was established back in 2015. 476 clubs and over 40 000 athletes from Bulgaria are participating in the Association. Kickboxing and Muay Thai, Karate Kyokushin, Taekwondo ITF, Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Kendo, Kudo, Wushu, Karate Shotokan, Sumo, Aikido, and Arm Wrestling headquarters are all part of the association.

[caption id="attachment_19317" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Some of the award winners from 2019[/caption]