This September, the SENSHI and BKKF camp was held in a shared hall, bringing together fighters from different disciplines, including Kyokushin Karate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and other martial arts. This created a unique atmosphere of collaboration and knowledge exchange, where participants had the opportunity to learn not only from their own coaches but also from fighters from other arts. This multidisciplinary approach allowed fighters to expand their knowledge and skills by observing different styles and strategies in action, significantly enriching their training and preparation.
The camps organized by the Bulgarian Kyokushin Karate Federation (BKKF) and SENSHI are not just a series of workouts. They represent a true test of the participants’ will, spirit, and physical limits. These camps are a journey into the world of martial arts that not only refines technique but also requires mental resilience, determination, and perseverance.
These camps attract both amateurs and professional fighters eager for new knowledge and skills. They offer more than just physical training – they are an arena where the character of true fighters is forged. The opportunity to train with legends of martial arts such as Ernesto Hoost, Semmy Schilt, Nicholas Pettas, Andy Souwer, Albert Kraus, Tariel Nikoleishvili, Zahari Damyanov, Jan Soukup, and Petar Martinov turns these camps into an unforgettable experience, where each participant faces not only their opponent but also their own fears and weaknesses. This camp especially emphasized technique, technical knowledge, the participants’ stable stance, and the importance of body foundation – the correct position. Shihan Asen Asenov started the BKKF camp with an explanation of the correct stance for the fighters.
From September 5 to 8, 2024, hundreds of fighters gathered in Varna, Bulgaria to participate in one of the most intense martial arts camps in the world. The participants trained two to three times a day, and the sessions were demanding yet highly beneficial. The hardest part was for the small group of 13-17-year-old karatekas, whose training was under the strict and constant supervision of Sensei Zahari Damyanov, Sensei Petar Martnov, Sensei Zhivko Andreev, and Sensei Hristo Hristov, who were selecting participants for the upcoming European Championship in Armenia in October. The younger karatekas gave their all, and the most distinguished competitors were selected to further prepare for the challenge they were entrusted with. We believe and hope they will all return with victories and valuable experience, which will prove not only their personal growth but also the progress achieved through the regular camps organized in Varna.
However, the SENSHI camps do not focus solely on physical skills. For the organizers, it is equally important to build mental resilience in the fighters. The training sessions, led by world champions, are not just routine exercises – they are designed to push participants to their limits and teach them to overcome every obstacle with will and determination. The camp in Varna was entirely dedicated to this philosophy. All trainees gave their best to prove themselves in the eyes of our legends. We hope they enjoyed the experience in Bulgaria and will always be as organized and prepared with new challenges for the fighters. The intense training sessions were also imbued with the philosophy of what it means to be a fighter. The instructors leading the sessions were not just masters of their disciplines – they are true legends who not only teach techniques but also inspire respect and reverence for martial arts.
The BKKF and SENSHI camps are not just places for physical improvement. They are transformative experiences that change participants both physically and mentally. It is not just training – it is a process of character building. Everyone who goes through such a camp emerges with a new understanding of themselves and their capabilities. Many participants share that after the camp, they are not only physically stronger but also more confident and motivated. What they learn at the camps, they later pass on in their own dojos, spreading knowledge to many more people. This is why the BKKF and SENSHI camps are more than just another training camp. They are exceptional opportunities for those who want to become not only better fighters but also stronger individuals. Those who had the courage to go through these intense workouts know that they not only improve their skills but also strengthen their spirit.
It’s worth mentioning that the environment fosters the creation of many new friendships. It is no coincidence that during every training session, fighters are encouraged to choose a partner from a different club. Many positive emotions are experienced during these camps. This camp was even more impressive due to the great atmosphere and setting. The culmination of the camp was the SENSHI 23 professional gala evening, where one of the the best fighters showcased their mastery in front of an audience. In this spectacle of strength, technique, and will, fighters from different martial arts, including Kyokushin Karate and Kickboxing, demonstrated a high level of preparation and athleticism. Each match was filled with drama and tension, as the fighters battled not only for victory but for the honor of representing their art at the highest level. The SENSHI gala evening once again proved that this event is among the leading ones in the world of martial arts.
The BKKF and SENSHI camps bring together the best of martial arts and offer them to participants in their purest form. They are not just about technical improvement but about building willpower, discipline, and resilience – qualities that make every fighter not only better in the ring but also better in life.
