Sports club “Sentoki – Burgas” proudly announces that four of its athletes have been officially selected to represent Bulgaria at the upcoming World Kyokushin Karate Championship, which will be held in Saudi Arabia from December 10 to 14, 2025. These are Iliya Topal, Ivan Gorchev, Raya Ivanova, and Kalina Parvanova – some of the most prominent and promising athletes of the club, who have proven their excellent preparation, character, and high sporting results throughout the year.
Their selection for the national team is recognition for both their personal achievements and the professional work of the coaching staff of SC “Sentoki – Burgas”. An important role in their preparation is played by Zhivko Andreev, who is both a coach at the club and the national coach of Bulgaria for Kyokushin karate. Under his guidance, the athletes develop their technique, discipline, and confidence, necessary for performing at a world level.
In the last competitive seasons, the club achieved impressive successes at an international level. At the World Cup in Varna 2025, in which 347 athletes from 27 countries participated, karatekas from “Sentoki – Burgas” won a world title through Raya Ivanova, bronze medals through Iliya Topal, Gergana Marinova, and Gabriela Dimitrova, as well as a special award for high fighting spirit for Iliya Topal.
Also, at the IFK World Championship in Leipzig, Germany, one of the most prestigious events in the world Kyokushin calendar, over 800 fighters from nearly 40 countries took part. The championship was held at the QUARTERBACK Immobilien Arena. Three athletes from SC “Sentoki – Burgas” – Raya Ivanova, Kalina Parvanova, and Ivan Gorchev – ranked among the medalists, ascending the podium, an achievement of great significance for Burgas and for Bulgaria. The club's representatives demonstrated exceptional preparation, character, and competitiveness at the highest world level.
The club also achieved a new strong international success at the IFK Open Eastern European Championship, held on November 29, 2025, where its athletes won four gold medals through Gergana Marinova, Bilyana Parvanova, Anna-Kresti Proicheva, and Yaroslav Fegorov, showing an excellent level of technique, fighting spirit, and discipline.
At the national level, SC “Sentoki – Burgas” continues to be among the most successful and established karate clubs in Bulgaria. During the year, its athletes participated in numerous national championships, national cups, and tournaments in different regions of the country, including the strong participation in Kamchia, from which Raya Ivanova (1st place), Gergana Marinova (3rd place), and Gabriela Dimitrova (3rd place) once again returned with awards. The consistency in these performances further establishes the club as a leading center for Kyokushin karate in Bulgaria.
Quote from coach and national selector Zhivko Andreev: “I am proud of our athletes and their development throughout the year. They prove that when there is hard work, discipline, and a strong character, results inevitably come. I believe that at the World Championship they will represent Bulgaria and Burgas with dignity.”
The participation of the athletes of SC “Sentoki – Burgas” on the world stage is a cause for pride for both the club and the entire city. They are expected to defend the colors of Bulgaria in the best possible way and to demonstrate the fighting spirit inherent in karatekas from SC “Sentoki – Burgas”.