The last for the year edition of the gala raised the level and strongly impressed the spectators
The International Gala Night SENSHI 19 set the bar high with its intense fights and fast-paced action, showcasing the incredible skills of top fighters from around the globe. On 25 November 2023, the arena in the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria witnessed 13 contested battles that captivated the audience with a fusion of kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. The fighters, hailing from 16 different countries, displayed unwavering fighting spirit, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of spectators.
The precise strikes, strategic tactics, and perfect balance between offense and defense demonstrated by the participants created an atmosphere full of tension and excitement. SENSHI 19 was a true celebration of martial arts, featuring athletes who reached the limits of their abilities to deliver masterful performances under the rules of KWU SENSHI, KWU FULL CONTACT, and KWU OPEN.
Check out the results of the SENSHI 19 Fight Gala Night:
Fight #1 – REMATCH
Cat. –70 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Ivan Naccari, Italy vs. Aissam Chadid, Morocco
The two fighters from Italy and Morocco gave their all in the ring and showed incredible spirit. After an extra round in this contested fight, the Italian Ivan Naccari was the winner.
Fight #2 – REMATCH
Cat. –75 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Atanas Bozhilov, Bulgaria vs. Madicke Kamara, France
The winner of the European SENSHI title in the category up to 75 kg. Atanas Bozhilov achieved his stunning seventeenth victory in the circuit so far. Bozhilov again won their second clash by a unanimous decision from the judges.
Fight #3 – REMATCH
Cat. –70 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Dragomir Petrov, Bulgaria vs. Levan Guruli, Georgia
The winner of the European title of SENSHI in the category up to 70 kg. Dragomir Petrov again delighted the Bulgarian audience with an unqualified victory over Georgian Guruli in their rematch. This is the 11th consecutive victory in the SENSHI ring for Petrov.
Fight #4
Cat. –85 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Frangis Goma, France vs. Nicola Stosic, Serbia
Nicola Stosic made an incredible SENSHI debut and grabbed a well-deserved unanimous decision win over the experienced Frenchman. He won the crowd’s applause with his decisive punches and attractive performance.
Fight #5
Cat. –80 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Omar Moreno, USA vs. Ilyass Chakir, Morocco
Ilyass Chakir defeated American Omar Moreno by knockout in a very spectacular fight. The contested bout failed to produce a clear winner in the regular three rounds, and the champion took the honors with an extra round that saw the Varna crowd score three knockdowns.
Fight #6
Cat. 95+ kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Asdren Gashi, Belgium vs. Sinan Cagala, Turkey
The Belgian Asdren Gashi, who made his first appearance in the ring at SENSHI, showed total dominance in the ring over Sinan Cagala. His power, domination, and precise strikes unquestionably earned him the match and belt.
Fight #7
Cat. 95+ kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Oly Yves Roland, Ivory Coast vs. Sebastian Lutaniuc, Romania
The Romanian Sebastian Lutaniuc surprised his opponent and, after an incredible reversal, won the match by split decision in a high-tempo exchange of punches. It was Lutaniuc’s second appearance at the gala, and he deserved a standing ovation from the crowd.
Fight #8
Cat. –95 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Milos Cvjeticanin, Serbia vs. Abdelillah Azzouzi, Morocco
Serbian fighter Milos Cvjeticanin delighted the Palace of Culture and Sports crowd with a remarkable turnaround in the bout, serving the crowd a titanic knockout and overpowering his rival Azzouzi from Morocco.
Fight #9
Cat. -95 kg, Ruleset: KWU SENSHI
Simon Mendes, Spain vs. Fekaki Othmanee, Morocco
In his debut bout at the fight gala, The Moroccan Fekaki Othmanee won the ninth bout with a convincing unanimous decision victory over Spaniard Mendes. The Moroccan also won the respect of the crowd with his fighting skills.
Fight #10
Cat. –95 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Jakub Styben, Germany vs. Muammer Can Şahin, Turkey
The fantastic fight between Jacob Stуben and Muammer Can Şahin electrified the crowd and resulted in a hard-fought victory for Germany’s Stуben after an extra round and a unanimous judges‘ decision. European K-1 style champion Jakub Styben has made five appearances in the SENSHI ring.
Fight #11
Cat. –90 kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Lucas Achterberg, Germany vs. Jimmy Livinus, Netherlands
The fight between Achterberg and the Dutchman Livinus was a truly epic clash. In the end, however, there can only be one winner: Jimmy Livinus, who earned the victory by knockout in a strong and spectacular finish.
Fight #12
Cat. 95+ kg, Ruleset: KWU FULL CONTACT
Nenad Cosic, Germany vs. Giannis Stoforidis, Greece
With a remarkable debut full of strong and accurate punches, the experienced Greek fighter Giannis Stoforidis won the match over his opponent Nenad Cosic from Serbia with a technical knockout in the second round.
Fight #13
Cat. –95 kg, Ruleset: KWU OPEN
Valeri Atanasov, Bulgaria vs. Arturas Kudresovas, Lithuania
The last bout of the evening was very exciting for the Varna crowd, who were cheering for their fellow townmate Valeri Atanasov. The fighters created a real show in the ring with unexpected turns, but Atanasov showed a higher fighting spirit than Kudreshovas and won the match by unanimous decision.
The “Best Technique” award at the SENSHI 19 International Fight Gala Night was awarded to Frenchman Frangis Goma, who lost his match but impressed the crowd in the hall and in front of the screens with his professional skills.
The SENSHI 19 “Knockout of the Night” award went to Milos Cvjeticanin of Serbia for his spectacular knockout against Azzouzi of Morocco.
The organizers’ award for “Fighting Spirit” was given to Aissam Chadid, who strived for victory till the end and was not inferior in class and skill to his rival.
Also presented at SENSHI 19 was the special annual “Spartacus Helmet” аward, given to the SENSHI fighter with the highest achievement and overall outstanding performance at the International Gala Nights in 2023. The award went to one of the audience’s favorite fighters, Dragomir Petrov, from Bulgaria.
SENSHI is an international martial arts event that brings together powerful, talented, and attractive fighters worldwide to showcase their skills and compete in a thrilling spectacle.
Be prepared for even more action at the next gala in 2024!
SENSHI 19 is organized in cooperation with the Professional League of the Kyokushin World Union (KWU International Professional League), as well as with the special support of Armeec Insurance Company, MAX Sport, Bulgaria Air, M Car Group – BMW dealer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Service and St. St. Constantine and Helena Holding.
SENSHI 19’s media partners are Boec.BG and Boec.COM, the national television Bulgaria ON AIR, the Serbian television Arena Sport, the American online martial arts television FITE, Gol.bg, Topsport.bg, Kwunion.com, the information portal Kyokushin Karate News, Fighto.News and Novinata.bg.
