In the official ceremony of “Golden Belt” 2024, which was held on 14 December in Sofia, the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation (BKKF) awarded the best athletes of the year. Two outstanding Kyokushin athletes and the leading coach of the federation deserved their awards for the excellent results achieved in 2024. The official Golden Belt ceremony is organized for the seventh consecutive year by the National Association of Combat Sports (NACS) to give well-deserved recognition to all outstanding athletes and coaches who have contributed to the development of martial arts and the promotion of Bulgaria on the international stage with talent, hard work, and perseverance.
The award for “Best Athlete – Man 2024” was deservedly taken by the European champion Viktor Kolev. This year, he won the Varna World Cup, became the European Champion of KWF Armenia, and took first place at the Balkan Championship IFC – Gorna Malina.
The “Best Athlete – Women 2024” prize was awarded to European champion Monika Stoyanova. She has several awards to her credit this year – first place at the Varna World Cup, a gold medal, and a European title at KWF Armenia, along with first place at the IFK Open in Austria in her category.
The Federation’s “Best Coach for 2024” plaque was awarded to Sensei Stanislav Dimitrov, Chairman of the SC “Kyokushin” – Shumen. He is also the General Secretary of the Bulgarian Karate Kyokushin Federation. He is a personal coach for the European champion Viktor Kolev, as well as Nikolay Stanchev, Kristiyan Ivanov, Dimitar Dimitrov, and other Kyokushin competitors.
At the glamorous ceremony, on behalf of the BKKF, the awards to the best athletes were presented by Sensei Peter Martinov, assistant coach of the national team, judge and referee of the international fighting galas SENSHI.
