Four cups and 14 medals from the European Kickboxing Cup for “Spartak Pazardzhik”: Vestnik Zname

At the historic first European Kickboxing Cup in our country, “Spartak Pazardzhik” athletes won 4 gold, 2 silver and 8 bronze medals. The prestigious international tournament European Cup Bulgaria Top Ten, as it was officially called, was organized by Bultras Fight Club, Star team and the Bulgarian Kickboxing and Muay Thai Confederation. 110 teams from 21 countries participated and a total of 1953 entries. Nearly 2,000 participants competed for 4 days on 8 tatami mats and 2 rings in the Plovdiv sports hall “Kolodrum”, which were evaluated by 100 of the best international referees in kickboxing. Bulgarian kickboxers won a total of 348 awards, of which 105 gold, 96 silver and 147 bronze at the European Cup, which was held in Plovdiv. This asset lifted the native competitors to the first position in the complex ranking of medals from a total of 21 registered participating countries. The representatives of Greece ranked second with a total of 129 medals, of which 34 gold, 35 silver and 60 bronze, and the third came the representatives of Hungary with an asset of 69 medals, of which 26 gold, 22 silver and 21 bronze.

The prestigious competition was the last of the year out of a total of four included in the calendar of the World Kickboxing Federation WAKO. A European Cup of this scale is being held in Bulgaria for the first time, it will become an annual sports event. The Spartak Pazardzhik Kickboxing Sports Club team participated with 18 competitors. Winners of the European Cup became Alexander Rybnikov-The Fish up to 67 kg, men, low kick, who also won the World Cup in Italy this year, Atanas Dimov-Alphata, in cat. up to 71 kg, low kick, junior senior, also winner of the World Cup from Italy, Alek Georgievup to 57 kg, junior juniors, low kick, and Alexander Zlatanov cadets, category up to 57 kg, kicklight style.

“Well done to our competitors! Sasho and Atanas became undisputed winners in all three days of the competition, they proved their class. Alec is one of the new players to our club and he showed a strong game and a desire to win which led him to the first place. And Alex is a champion this year in the low kick style, and he proved that he is capable of winning in lighter styles as well,” said head coach sensei Ilko Adzhov after the competition, who also congratulated the club’s other medalists – the silver winners Alessandro Zmiycharov and Daniel Marinkovand those who were awarded bronze medals – Ivana Georgieva, Manol Shikerov, Stanimir Tonov, Iliyan Dimitrov, Stiliyan Rybnikov, Atanas Stoyanov, Angel Kotsev and Anthony Yankov.

“Our team was one-third first-timers and another third with a bit of experience, so I’m extremely pleased with their performance. None of them took a step back and showed that they deserve to be part of our club team. The competition was extremely strong with representatives from the national teams of the participating countries. Well done to the boys and girls from “Spartak”-Pazardzhik!” commented Adzhov.

“I want to thank my coach sensei Ilko Adzhov very much for everything that makes us always well prepared and disciplined. Also to everyone from my team Sports Hall “Spartak Pazardzhik” for always being united and loyal to each other Family, Strength and Honor these are the qualities of a true fighter regardless of whether he wins or loses the most important thing is to remain human !”, wrote the happy Alexander Rybnikov on his Facebook wall.

In the club ranking of a total of 110 teams, the capital’s “Star team” took first place, followed by another Bulgarian club “Masaru”, and the kickboxers of the Hungarian “Halker Kirali team” came third.

The historic hosting of our country paid off with huge success, both by winning a large number of medals and by the highest rating for the organization of a European kickboxing cup to date. WAKO announced that the competition will be held in Bulgaria again next year, as the native kickboxing and muay thai confederation is waiting for the signing of a 4-year contract to host the European Cup.

(Zn)