The “Golden Belt” 2025 in the “Loyalty to Traditions” category was presented to Sensei Plamen Yurukov, who this year marks 40 years of developing and building the aikido community in Bulgaria.
“This is a great recognition—first from my colleagues in the Aikido Federation, and then from the wider martial arts community organized within the National Association of Combat Sports in Bulgaria. Throughout the year, I have been looking back to reflect on my path in martial arts. I have 40 years in aikido, and before that, five years spent practicing karate,” Sensei Yurukov said in the studio of the Bulgaria Morning program.
According to him, the level of aikido in Bulgaria is good. “In addition to my work with the Bulgarian Aikido Federation, I am also involved in specific structures of the World Aikido Federation. I am also a member of the European Aikido Federation. I have direct observations of our level. There are many clubs, and of course our task is to continue developing and expanding. There is exceptional interest from children aged 4–5 up to 15–16. They choose aikido because of the movement and, secondly, because of the calm atmosphere that prevails in our dojo,” he added on Bulgaria ON AIR.
Plamen Yurukov is categorical that discipline is an extremely important part of training. “Children learn that their personal development is most important and that they must help one another rather than stand in each other’s way. The techniques and exercises themselves support this approach. What is most specific about aikido is that there are no competitions. On the one hand, the techniques are dangerous; on the other, the art is designed so that it can be practiced both fast and slow, with strength or gently. It provides good flexibility of the body and, at the same time, meditation—the body posture has a strong influence on the autonomic nervous system,” the guest explained. Sensei Yurukov further emphasized that aikido is an effective “tool” against anxiety and depression.
He admitted that he faced difficulties when he first began practicing the art. “When I started training, aikido was banned. The militia at the time did not allow us to practice. The people I learned from at the very beginning included a French instructor of very high rank and the then Ambassador of Congo. Later, I gathered all the money I had and traveled to Japan. I was the first person from Eastern Europe to be allowed to sleep in the dojo,” the sensei recounted.
The entire interview with the recipient of this prestigious award, Sensei Plamen Yurukov, can be viewed on the Bulgaria ON AIR television website.
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 television on December 27 at 19:00 EET.
